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The African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State has taken bold drastic measures to at least keep the last vestige in the organisation ahead of the 2026 local government elections by redeploying its Mayors in six municipalities.
Following the special meeting by the Provincial Executive Council (PEC) on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, the Secretary General of the Congress in the Free State Cde Polediso Motsoeneng took the residents of the province into the party’s confidence during a media briefing on Thursday, to update them on the decisions taken by the PEC.
Motsoeneng said the PEC leadership has taken into account the state of municipalities in the province and they have identified those in particular that are in dire state and need immediate attention. He said following a road show by the provincial leadership to assess the municipalities; a decisive call was made to urgently intervene and address the tipping challenges that were laid bare in public.
“With time like a frog in boiling water we realised late that the ground is shifting and as such decisive, audacious and courageous leadership needs to be invoked, for if we procrastinate the consequences thereof will be dire for the movement,” said Polediso Motsoeneng.
The SG proclaimed that the PEC has resolved to intervene in six municipalities including Mafube, Moqhaka, Letsemeng, Nketoana, Nala and Lejweleputswa District Municipality where persistent disclaimers, weak leadership and poor governance undermine service delivery including allegations of corruption.
“Redeployment will be effected in all these mentioned municipalities. The PWC will pronounce on this decision. The provincial CoGTA is expected to take action where allegations of corruption and malfeasance have been identified. Senior management (Section 56/57) positions must be filled before the end of 2025 with competent, ethical professionals,” said Motsoeneng.
“The ANC Free State recognises that the failures of municipalities are collective leadership failures—both political and administrative. The PEC has resolved to act with urgency, fairness and decisiveness to correct mistakes, restore credibility, and renew the trust of our people as we approach the 2026 Local Government Elections.
We reaffirm that the ANC is committed to leading with integrity, ensuring clean governance, and delivering on the promises we made in our 2021 Manifesto. The time for decisive action is now,” concluded the Secretary General.
