ANC in the Free State has decided to redeploy the provincial leadership including seven mayors, speakers and chief whips in Mafube, Moqhaka, Letsemeng, Nketoana, Nala, Masilonyana and Lejweleputswa, citing weak and failed leadership, poor governance and corruption.

The move comes as the party is preparing itself for the 2026 local government elections.

This was announced by the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) on Thursday, signalling the push for renewal and discipline within the party.

The party’s provincial secretary, Polediso Motsoeneng, confirmed that the resolution was in place and said it was their priority to intervene to prevent further decline of the party.

“We took time to diagnose properly and key among others was that some of the leaders were on a suicide mission against the ANC,” he said.

This decision follows the ANC NEC meeting where President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed a powerful message to the members in local government.

“The marching order to all ANC-run municipalities and ward councillors is that we cannot proceed as if it continues to be business as usual,” Ramaphosa said.

The residents of the Free State have been complaining about the lack of service delivery in the area for years but nothing has been done.

The ANC study group on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) welcomed the PEC’s decision and action on dysfunctional municipalities.

This follows Cogta’s oversight to assess the state of municipalities and their ability to deliver services to the people.

The group admitted that numerous municipalities in the Free State painted a hopeless picture, showing the collapse of accountability, governance and financial mismanagement and allegations of corruption as reported by the Auditor General, which has hindered the delivery of services.

“These problems, which were seen by the entire country, are clearly in contravention of the government’s aspirations and most importantly in contravention of the aspirations of the National Democratic Revolution and the Freedom Charter, which is a lodestar of the ANC,” it said in a statement.

The ANC Study Group in Parliament further urged the local government officials to serve the people with care and dedication and protect the image of the government in all their actions.

Meanwhile, IOL previously reported that the Free State Premier, MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae vowed to take action against corruption leaders. 

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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