By Becker Semela:
Mangaung Concerned Communities (MCC) has called on Mangaung Metro Executive Mayor, Gregory Nthatisi, and the MMC for Community and Social Services, Nthabiseng Jonas, to resign from their positions over allegations of political interference in the municipal administration.
Numerous complaints received from residents
According to MCC spokesperson Senotli Gaba, the organisation believes the duo have violated the Code of Conduct for Councillors, which prohibits councillors from interfering in the administration of municipal departments.
Gaba said MCC has received numerous complaints from residents claiming that new people are being employed by the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality without the positions being properly advertised.
The organisation’s investigation found evidence
“We have been inundated with calls from community members alleging that people are being employed in the municipality without any public advertisement of the positions,” said Gaba.
He explained that after receiving the complaints, MCC Chairperson Themba Zweni directed queries to the City Manager Sello More, who reportedly denied that such activities were taking place. However, Gaba said the organisation then conducted its own investigation into the matter.
“During our investigation, the name of the Head of Department for Community Services, Dr Thabang Thinda, came up. When our chairperson contacted him, he indicated that he was only following instructions from the office of the Executive Mayor and MMC Nthabiseng Jonas,” Gaba said.
The top manager is not aware of the instruction
According to Gaba, Thinda allegedly told MCC that he had received instructions to appoint about 1 000 individuals under the municipality’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). “When asked how these individuals were sourced, he said he did not know. He also confirmed that the City Manager was not aware of the instruction,” Gaba added.
He said MCC believes this situation points to political interference in municipal administration, which it says is a direct violation of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.
Code of Conduct violated, says MCC
“The code states that councillors must perform their duties in good faith, honestly, transparently and always act in the best interests of the municipality without compromising its credibility or integrity.
“It also clearly states that councillors may not interfere in the management or administration of municipal departments, give instructions to municipal employees unless authorised by law, or participate in actions that could lead to maladministration”, Gaba said.
He emphasised that MCC is therefore calling on both Nthatisi and Jonas to step down. “We respectfully call on the Executive Mayor and Councillor Jonas to do the right thing and tender their resignations with immediate effect,” said Gaba.
Community to demand that Nthatisi account
He warned that if they refuse to resign voluntarily, the organisation will ask the leadership of the ANC to remove them from office. “Should they fail to step down, we will mobilise members of the community to go to the Executive Mayor’s office to demand answers about these allegations,” he said
The organisation also raised concerns about the filling of 450 municipal positions that were advertised between September and October 2025.
Gaba said incidents like this have previously led to unrest in the city. “We want to place on record that similar issues in 2021 led to the Mangaung Shutdown and the loss of a young life. We want to avoid such a situation, which is why we are calling on the councillors to act responsibly,” he said.
The Municipality Rejects the Allegations
Meanwhile, the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality has strongly rejected the allegations made by MCC. In a statement from the office of the mayor, the municipality described the claims as false, irresponsible and politically motivated.
Municipal leadership said the allegations are based on claims that have already been disproven and in an alleged conversation that Dr Thabang Thinda has denied ever taking place.
Officials said employment programmes, including the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), are governed by strict regulations and transparent administrative processes designed to prevent manipulation.
Mayor and MMC deny the allegations
The municipality also denied that the Executive Mayor or MMC Jonas had issued any instructions to appoint individuals outside of lawful procedures.
The municipal leadership urged residents to remain calm and not be misled by unverified claims. They also encouraged anyone with credible evidence of wrongdoing to submit it to the appropriate oversight and investigative authorities rather than inciting public unrest.
The municipality said it remains committed to transparency, service delivery and ensuring that employment opportunities are communicated through official channels. – @NewsSA_Online
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