The Moqhaka Municipality, which serves Kroonstad, Viljoenskroon and Steynsrus, has been without a municipal manager since 2019.
The fact that this vacancy has not been filled in the last three years, even after it has been advertised twice, has residents wondering about the delay. The municipality’s governance has been unstable for some time due to various differences between officials of the two factions within the ruling party. This is believed to have contributed to the delay.
The former municipal manager, Simon Mqwathi, was arrested in 2019 for fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Mqwathi passed away in August last year.
Several acting municipal managers have been appointed, but no permanent appointment was made. Although several interviews have reportedly been conducted, and amid talk that someone was appointed, this could not be confirmed by the municipality.
Cllr Morena Thebe of the Moqhaka Community Forum confirmed that a council meeting concerning the matter was held.
Braam Visagie of the Freedom Front Plus said that the council was badly divided over the appointment of a new municipal manager, and that the meeting on Tuesday, 25 October, had been adjourned for documents to be presented to the council for members to familiarise themselves with correct procedure.
