Court Slams Brakes on Moretele Power Play, Orders Ousted Councillors Reinstated

In a significant victory for municipal accountability, the North West High Court has forcefully intervened in the political machinations of the Moretele local municipality. The court has upheld an interdict and ordered the immediate reinstatement of two ActionSA councillors who were unlawfully removed from their critical oversight roles.

The legal battle began after a controversial council meeting on 10 December last year, which saw a dramatic shake-up in the municipality’s committee structure. The Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC)the body tasked with scrutinising public spending and holding the municipal executive accountablewas abruptly dissolved.

As part of this move, ActionSA councillors Masego Kodisang and Mokgadi Moetji were ousted from their leadership positions. Kodisang was removed as the chairperson of MPAC, and Moetji was dismissed from the infrastructure development services committee.

A Victory for Due Process

The two councillors took the matter to court, arguing that their removal was not just politically motivated but blatantly unlawful. They contended that the motions to remove them were pushed through without complying with the municipality’s own rules of order and proper procedural guidelines.

Acting Judge Steve Maodi agreed. In his judgment, he found their case had merit, emphasizing the need for clarity in procedural law and proper governance. The court ruled that the initial interdict against the municipality must stand, forcing it to reinstate Kodisang as the chair of MPAC and Moetji to her infrastructure committee role.

The Whiff of a Cover-Up

The ruling has ignited a political firestorm. While the municipality’s spokesperson, Mothope Malebye, declined to comment, other political figures were less reserved. Councillor Shangy Mbekwa, leader of a rival party, made a startling claim, suggesting that MPAC was dissolved specifically “because it could not turn a blind eye to the rampant looting of the municipality.”

This allegation paints the councillors’ removal not as a simple administrative reshuffle, but as a deliberate attempt to disable a key financial watchdog. The court’s decision is a firm rebuke of these tactics, reinforcing that the rules of fair process cannot be cast aside for political convenience. For the residents of Moretele, it ensures that at least one mechanism for holding power to account is back in place.

{Source: Citizen}

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