Political tensions and allegations of selfish interests have emerged as major stumbling blocks in the reconfiguration of municipal troikas in the Nala and Masilonyana local municipalities, threatening efforts to stabilise governance and improve service delivery.

What was expected to be a smooth leadership renewal process has instead exposed deep divisions within party structures, with claims that some leaders are placing personal ambitions ahead of organisational unity and the interests of communities.

This comes despite the ANC provincial leadership, through spokesperson Thabo Meeko, earlier assuring this publication that the reconfiguration of seven struggling municipal troikas “has progressed smoothly”, with only a few internal matters still to be resolved in Nala and Masilonyana municipalities.

However, according to the party’s Regional Executive Committee (REC), the failure to finalise the process in the two municipalities is being driven by the narrow and selfish interests of certain provincial leaders and members of the municipal troikas.

Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, regional secretary Irvin Riet said the Lejweleputswa region was the only region where the implementation of the reconfiguration process had been selective, inconsistent and unfairly applied.

“Here in the region, only the mayor of the Lejweleputswa District Municipality has been reconfigured, while other components of the political leadership remain untouched despite the collective governance failures confronting this municipality. We are seriously concerned as the REC regarding the continued resistance by certain provincial officials to finalise the process in the district municipality, as well as in Nala and Masilonyana local municipalities,” said Riet.

The reshuffle, announced in August last year by ANC Free State provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng, was aimed at realigning political priorities, stabilising municipalities and accelerating service delivery.

Riet said even more concerning were allegations that the troika in Masilonyana had indicated that they would not vacate office until certain arrangements and undertakings made between themselves and some provincial officials were implemented.

“We note with concern the conduct of the troika in Masilonyana, whose refusal to comply with the organisational directive to resign has now escalated into open defiance of the REC,” he said.

Meanwhile, Meeko maintained that the process was progressing smoothly, with only two of the seven municipalities still expected to elect new mayors.

“The process is going smoothly and should be completed within a week or two. The organisation is currently finalising a few internal issues within Nala and Masilonyana local municipalities,” said Meeko.

He welcomed the election of new mayors in Mafube, Moqhaka, Letsemeng, Nketoana and the Lejweleputswa District Municipality.

“We are happy as the ANC that capable leaders are being put in place to fast-track issues confronting the municipalities, including service delivery to the people,” he said.

Phaladi Matsole was recently elected as the new mayor of Mafube Local Municipality, while Ramasimong Daniel Tau was appointed mayor of Moqhaka Local Municipality.

Meanwhile, Andrew Visagie, Godfrey and Phindiwe Maseko were elected mayors of Letsemeng, Nketoana and Lejweleputswa District Municipality respectively.