The Democratic Alliance (DA) has voiced its deep concerns about the future of the Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng, following the re-election of African National Congress (ANC) councillor, Lerato Maloka, as mayor.
The DA argues that the same issues that led to the municipality’s decline under her leadership will persist, continuing to undermine the region’s development.
Re-Election Sparks Controversy
Maloka’s return to office came during a special council sitting on Tuesday, 18 February.
This decision marks her reinstatement as mayor just weeks after she was removed through a DA-sponsored motion of no confidence on 29 January, in which 26 councillors voted in favor of her ousting, while 21 voted against.
The mayoral race saw Maloka face off against DA councillor Prudence Hlanyane.
The final tally of votes was tight: Maloka secured 25 votes, while Hlanyane received 24.
Despite the narrow margin, Maloka’s return to office has sparked widespread dissatisfaction.
DA Criticizes Reinstatement of Maloka
Sibusiso Dyonase, DA’s caucus leader in Sedibeng, sharply criticized the re-election, calling it a significant setback for the region.
He emphasized that the council had missed an opportunity to embrace change, instead opting to support the ANC, which he believes has failed the people of Sedibeng.
Dyonase stressed that the DA would continue its fight for good governance and accountability, holding the newly re-elected mayor accountable for her actions during her previous tenure.
EFF Also Expresses Displeasure
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng echoed the DA’s sentiments, condemning Maloka’s reinstatement.
The party described the decision as an insult to the people of Sedibeng, who have long endured a lack of basic services like clean drinking water, electricity, waste collection, and safety.
The EFF claimed that Maloka’s leadership had contributed to the decline of the municipality, with mismanagement of finances and continued service delivery failures.
“Communities continue to suffer without essential services, and crime continues to rise, even within public health facilities,” said the EFF in a statement, criticizing the ANC for its disregard for the residents’ needs.
Why Was Maloka Ousted in the First Place?
Maloka’s previous removal came after her failure to implement a financial recovery plan required by the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The municipality’s financial state had worsened under her leadership, with increasing wasteful spending, an unsustainable budget, and a heavy reliance on salaries to the detriment of service delivery.
The DA argued that these issues made her reinstatement untenable.
Maloka’s leadership had left the municipality in a precarious financial position, with 75% of the budget being used to cover salaries, which severely impacted the provision of basic services to the community.
The Road Ahead for Sedibeng
The question remains: will the re-election of Lerato Maloka improve the conditions in Sedibeng, or will the same problems persist? Local residents and political parties alike are watching closely, hoping for a positive change that has been long overdue.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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