The Mayor of Ditsobotla Local Municipality Itumeleng Elizabeth Lethoko has retracted her resignation after she initially stepped down as mayor only a few hours after she was sworn in on Monday night.
Lethoko, who is a Patriotic Alliance member was voted into the position through the backing of the ANC and Forum 4 Service Delivery but resigned her position soon after accusing the ANC of trying to get the council to appoint a municipal manager without following proper procedures.
PA’s Deputy President Kenny Kunene said Lethoko’s return follows discussions with the national leadership.
“She has withdrawn that resignation based on the discussions we have had with the ANC nationally and provincially. We have found each other, then decided on a road map as to how we are going to work going forward.
“The Speaker has also not processed the resignation, so the council was constituted legally meaning she remains the mayor,” Kunene said.
The ANC Provincial Secretary, Louis Diremelo said, an effort will be made to improve relations with the PA.
“We are going to meet on Friday at 1’oclock, and then we will again strengthen our relationship with the PA, in regards to the do’s and don’ts of the coalition government. So that such things should not happen again,” said Diremelo.
He said saving this coalition was vital to ensure services are rendered in Ditsobotla.
“We owe the residents of Ditsobotla an apology and good services. So that is why it was important to save this particular coalition. So it must start focusing on service delivery.
“And the provincial government has been instructed not to unplug implemented programs of service delivery. It must just continue supporting the newly elected council. So that we move forward.
“We just hope that whatever we have done is in the best interest of the people of Ditsobotla. So that they get what they deserve, which is good services,” he said.
