Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The Executive Mayor of Letsemeng Local Municipality, Bonolo Mocwaledi, is under fire for residing in Bloemfontein, approximately 122-141.6 kilometers away from Koffiefontein, and commuting daily using a state vehicle.
This arrangement allegedly costs the state around R15,000 per month in fuel expenses.
Critics accuse Mocwaledi of neglecting the plight of local residents, who face challenges such as limited access to basic services like running water, proper roads, and toilets.
The municipality has also failed to appoint key personnel, including a Municipal Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and Technical Director.
They claim that service delivery is at an all-time low and that the ANC-led municipality, under Mocwaledi’s leadership, has failed to address long-standing issues affecting residents.
The controversy surrounding Mocwaledi’s residency and commuting arrangement has sparked concerns about the misuse of state resources and the municipality’s priorities.
She resides in Bloemfontein’s affluent Northern suburbs and travels constantly between Bloemfontein and Koffiefontein using a luxurious state vehicle.
Mocwaledi spends at least 80 hours and drives over 6,000 kilometers per month in a state vehicle to her lavish residence.
It is estimated that the state spends close to R15,000 per month on fuel alone.
A source close to her office said that while Mocwaledi enjoys her luxurious lifestyle, locals continue to suffer in squalid conditions across the ailing municipality.
Another source, who chose to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisal, said the mayor has ignored the plight of informal settlement residents from Pencyville and White City in Petrusburg. These settlements were established in January 2020.
The two areas are located just across the N8 road, which Mocwaledi frequently uses to travel between Bloemfontein and Koffiefontein. According to the source, residents face daily hardships due to the lack of basic services such as running water.
“Both communities rely on Jojo tank water. There are no proper roads, and no toilets. Residents are forced to relieve themselves in the veld. There is no indication from the mayor as to when these issues will be resolved.
The mayor has served more than half of her term without addressing these challenges,” the source said.
It is also alleged that the municipality has yet to appoint a Municipal Manager, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Technical Director, Community Services Director (CSD), and Corporate Services Director.
“Everyone is acting in these positions. The Municipal Manager position has been vacant since November 2022,” the source added.
Democratic Alliance’s MPL, David Mackay asked MEC for Human Settlement and COGTA, Teboho “Sulky” Mokoena on the 31 July 2024:
Why is the Mayor of Letsemeng residing in Mangaung Municipality and pretending to reside with her mother in Petrusburg? What steps will be taken to prevent this from occurring? If no steps will be taken, why not?
In response said:
“The Mayor is a resident of Petrusburg, however, this matter will also be investigated.”
Mokoena confirmed the car used by Mocwalesi belongs to the municipality, it’s not rented.
“Currently the Mayor is using the Municipal vehicle(not rented)”
With local government slowly approaching,we will tap into municipalities and serivice delivery.
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We get what we voted for. The residents /voters know the history of their municipality, the tye of services or lack thereof and they have been voting and retaining the same people. They have no one else but themselves to blame. They should elect reps to go air their grievances. As for the opposition, what have they been doing about this, except to complain about it and write to the MEC? They also failing their constituencies.
You reap what you sow. They knew who they were voting for and continued to do so. The opposition is also useless.
Petrusburg is a big problem, her if it is not for surten community members doing every thing the town would be a desaster. Daleen Terblanch, is number 1 for jumping in and getting the problem sorted out. Daleen would then ask the Petrusburg community and residents for spare, tools or even their time to come and assist. We also have a huge problem with surerige running through resident ‘s yards, in front / around there property,this has been going on since June last year. We also have a problem with rufel removal most of the time Uncle Kobus Hugo must use his own worker’s, Time and vehicle to collect the rufel. Uncle Kobus is also now currently fixing ower town roads with donations from the farmer and town community donating tar, gravel, money to pay the workers and fuel. Uncle Kobus also did all the repainting of our street names. PLEASE PLEASE HELP OUR TOWN AND IT’S PEOPLE. We need a mayor that is a hands on person and cares for the community.
It sounds strange..how can resident no 1 not stay in the ward that voted for her and stay in a different municipality ward.. she should be expelled.
Black people vote for colour and language not for progress, ba ryt thy choose to suffer let them suffer choices have consequences.