By Bernell Simons

A fierce power clash in embattled Matlosana Local Municipality has laid bare a municipality in turmoil, with leadership divisions now spilling into open conflict for control in the crumbling corridors of the Klerksdorp Town Hall.

The crisis centres on Municipal Manager Lesego Seametsa, who has refused to reinstate dismissed Chief Financial Officer Mercy Phetla, arguing that doing so would violate the law — a stance that has plunged the matter into the courts.

Seametsa’s stance has ignited a governance crisis stretching from council chambers to the courts, exposing deep fractures in a municipality already buckling under service delivery failures and financial strain.

The conflict traces back to a disciplinary process against Phetla, conducted under the Local Government Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers.

After hearings in December 2025, she was found guilty on multiple counts of misconduct and dismissed.

In a sharply divided vote, councillors rejected the findings and pushed through a resolution to reinstate Phetla — a move that blurred the line between oversight and interference, and one Seametsa refused to accept.

According to Seametsa, the dismissal has already been implemented, warning that reversing it would violate the law and potentially expose the municipality to further legal risk.

“Invoking the Municipal Systems Act and any attempt to pressure officials to act outside the law may amount to an offence,” she said.

In a February 24 special sitting, councillors moved to place Seametsa on precautionary suspension, citing “serious misconduct” and “non-performance.”

Seametsa has since confirmed receiving the notice and responding formally. An acting municipal manager has already been lined up.

A civic organisation, Nova Matlosana in Action, has rushed to the High Court in Mahikeng, challenging council’s decision to reinstate Phetla.