Speaker, Mayor in standoff

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – A heated clash erupted between Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Malekula Melato, and the council speaker during a session before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, chaired by Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The confrontation came as both officials were given a platform to address complaints over poor service delivery and corruption.

The Executive Mayor did not hold back her frustration, accusing the speaker of overstepping his authority and failing to respect the separation of powers.

“I am subjected to abuse at the hands of the speaker, who believes I should be accountable to him personally rather than to the council. He oversteps his role by taking matters that belong to me as mayor and presenting them to the council. I have already addressed this issue in a letter to him and have called on Provincial COGTA to intervene,” she said.

In response, the council speaker painted a picture of his own constraints and alleged that the Executive Mayor’s actions were bolstered by powerful allies.

“I am not going to be emotional here. The Executive Mayor acts as she pleases because she has the backing of both MEC of COGTA, Saki Mokoena, and Premier Maqueen Letsoha Mathae.

“It is not true that I took items that belong to her. In fact, the mayor prevented the inclusion of certain items – such as a reference to the SIU report, which states that she was a service provider to the municipality before becoming a council member. She also objected to an item regarding the CFO, who has been instructed by the court to repay the money. We need to discuss this matter before her contract expires on March 31, 2025.”

Before the speaker could finish his explanation, Mayor Melato interjected. Dr Mkhize quickly restored order, warning that she might be removed from the proceedings if she did not behave appropriately.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Manager voiced his own frustration with the dysfunctional environment. “I feel like I’m just the grass caught between two opposing forces,” he said. However, the speaker dismissed his remarks, accusing him of acting like a politician and aligning with the Executive Mayor and CFO camp.

Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, stated that the issue now requires intervention from both the provincial government and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

“I will report this matter to the Premier for intervention, and I also suggest that SALGA conduct a workshop to clarify the roles of both parties,” he said.