The DA's Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane.
Residents of the Mogalakwena local municipality are suffering because of ANC infighting in the town, DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said on Tuesday.
“Today, we stand in a community where politicians have put their own selfish interests ahead of the interests of the people,” Maimane said.
“The people of Mogalakwena municipality voted for this council, but those in charge have now forgotten about this community.”
In November last year the Democratic Alliance withdrew from political activities in the municipality due to political instability there, DA councillor David Phokela said at the time.
Councillors would, however, continue to provide their services to voters and address any issue residents raised.
On August 22 2014, the ANC said its national disciplinary committee had dismissed an application by 22 Mogalakwena councillors for a review of their expulsions from the party.
They had been suspended after reports that they attended a council meeting with opposition parties in April, where discussions around removing the mayor, chief whip, and some members of the executive committee, were held.
In a by-election in November, the ANC won all 13 wards in Mogalakwena following the expulsions.
Maimane said: “These two factions now find themselves locked in a court battle for power. While this goes on, service delivery has come to a standstill”.
He urged the community to “take back their power by voting differently” in the local government elections next year. – Sapa