Mafube Business Forum (MBF) have received information that the Mayor of Mafube Local Municipality (MPM) has been instructed to rescind the appointment of Advocate Mothusi Lepheana as Municipal Manager.
Mr. Moses Makume, the Member of the Free State Executive Council for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Housing (CoGTA), in a letter dated 9 September 2023, informed honourable Mayor Thloare Motsoeneng that Lepheana does not meet the minimum requirements for the position and that the second-choice candidate must be appointed in his place. This candidate apparently fared much better in the mandatory assessment.
Motsoeneng was told to urgently ask the Speaker to convene a Special Council meeting as soon as possible to set aside the appointment of Adv. Lepheana. Mayor Motsoeneng had to report back to the MEC on the execution of the assignment within seven days. Why such a meeting was only held almost two months later, on October 31, is not clear. The meeting was held in secret without public notification, disregarding relevant legislation.
MBF are cautiously optimistic that this is now the end of Adv. Lepheana as Municipal Manager of Mafube. Lepheana has a long history of acting in his own interest and has often found himself guilty of flouting local government legislation and even orders of the High Court. Adv. Lepheana was sentenced to imprisonment in 2016 by Judge Dafue who had the following to say about him:
“Lepheana deliberately tried to mislead the court” “His non-compliance was not only wilful and male fide (in bad faith), but an indication of the high-handed approach adopted by so many senior public officials. His lack of interest in being of assistance to the court is apparent.” “His attitude throughout is baffling and his conduct undermines the esteem in which the office of municipal manager ought to be held.”
MBF express the hope that the new Municipal Manager will be more accessible and will instead work with the business community to restore service delivery. MBF will insist that the "Stakeholders' Compact" be implemented without delay.
MBF invite residents, business owners and taxpayers to visit our offices at 18A Church Street, Frankfort on Mondays to Thursdays from 08h30 to 16h00 and Fridays 08h30 to 12h00. Call or send a WhatsApp message to Marina on 079 145 4295. Visit our website www.mafubebf.org and follow us on Facebook.