The Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West province is embroiled in a deepening political crisis, with violent clashes, factional disputes, and two individuals claiming the mayoral office. The turmoil has left residents and businesses in Lichtenburg and Coligny grappling with crippled essential services and a governance vacuum.
A Town with Two Mayors
The crisis escalated this week when two councilors, Mazwi Moruri and Molefe Morutse, both claimed to be the legitimate mayor of Ditsobotla. Moruri, the incumbent mayor, was allegedly removed during a council meeting, while Morutse was “elected” as the new mayor during a separate meeting held in Mahikeng. Moruri dismissed the latter meeting as illegitimate, calling it a “desperate attempt to create parallel structures of governance.”
The situation turned violent when Olaotse Bojosinyane, the dismissed Municipal Manager, attempted to forcibly reoccupy his office with the help of private security guards. Shots were fired, leaving two municipal employees injured—one critically. The municipality condemned the violence and warned the public against engaging with Bojosinyane in any official capacity.
ANC Factionalism Fuels the Crisis
The crisis is rooted in factional disputes within the ANC, with Morutse claiming that his election as mayor was part of an ANC intervention to “clean up the mess” in Ditsobotla. He asserted that a coalition between the ANC, EFF, and smaller parties had endorsed his leadership. However, Moruri and Speaker Nico Modisakeng dismissed the legitimacy of the Mahikeng meeting, calling the resignation letters circulating online “fake and fraudulent.”
North West ANC Secretary Louis Diremelo expressed disappointment with Moruri, stating that the party had resolved to elect Morutse as mayor to stabilize the municipality. Meanwhile, opposition parties like the DA and VF+ have called for national government intervention, citing the failure of provincial efforts to restore order.
Residents Bear the Brunt
Amid the political infighting, residents and businesses in Ditsobotla continue to suffer from severe service delivery failures. The municipality has struggled to provide basic services like water, electricity, and sanitation for years, leading to regular protests. In 2021, Clover closed its cheese factory in Ditsobotla, citing “ongoing poor service delivery” as a key reason.
Recent weeks have seen electricity cuts to areas like LaFarge Village and Lichtenburg Vakansie Oord, despite residents paying their fees. The political instability has diverted attention and resources away from addressing these critical issues, leaving communities in despair.
Calls for National Intervention
The DA and business organizations like Sakeliga and the Ditsobotla Services Association (DSA) have called for the municipality to be placed under Section 139(7) national government administration. DA North West MPL CJ Steyl emphasized that while municipal workers fight in the streets, residents are left without water or electricity.
The ANC in the North West is reportedly considering merging Ditsobotla with neighboring municipalities after the 2026 local government elections if provincial interventions continue to fail. However, for now, the municipality remains committed to providing basic services “within its financial limitations,” despite the overwhelming challenges.
What’s Next for Ditsobotla?
As the political crisis deepens, the focus remains on restoring stability and addressing the urgent needs of Ditsobotla’s residents. The recent surge in violence and factionalism threatens to further disrupt governance and service delivery, leaving the embattled region in a state of uncertainty.
For the people of Ditsobotla, the hope is that the chaos will soon give way to effective leadership and much-needed relief. Until then, the town remains a stark reminder of the consequences of political infighting and governance failures.
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