Oust Sedibeng Mayor Over Governance Crisis
By Thabo Mosia
Vereeniging –
The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania has tabled a fresh motion of no confidence against Sedibeng District Municipality’s Executive Mayor Lerato Maloka, citing a string of governance failures that have plunged the area into chaos. Submitted on 21 January 2026 by councillors Busang Tsotetsi and Mbuyiselo Kantso, the motion accuses Maloka of neglecting her duties, financial mismanagement, and ethical lapses, marking a dramatic shift as the PAC, once her ally, now leads the charge to remove her.
This latest push comes just a year after Maloka narrowly survived a similar ousting, highlighting deep divisions in the council and growing frustration among residents over poor service delivery.
As the speaker prepares to schedule a special meeting for debate and voting, communities in Sedibeng wait anxiously for a resolution that could finally address years of scandals and stalled progress.
Roots of the Motion: A History of Troubles
Maloka’s tenure has been marred by controversy since her appointment as mayor.
Elected in a coalition setup, she faced her first major challenge in January 2025 when a Democratic Alliance-led motion of no confidence succeeded, removing her from office amid claims of ineffective leadership.
However, in a twist during a special council sitting on 18 February 2025, she was reinstated by a slim margin of one vote, defeating DA candidate Prudence Hlanyane.
That reinstatement relied heavily on PAC support, making their current turnaround all the more significant.
The motion details a failure to uphold constitutional and statutory obligations, pointing to a lack of accountability in executive decisions.
It references “misdeeds” that have eroded public trust, including decisions that bypassed proper processes and left the municipality in financial distress.
Sedibeng, covering areas like Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, and Meyerton, has long struggled with infrastructure decay, water shortages, and unemployment.
Under Maloka, these issues have worsened, with critics arguing her focus on personal perks overshadowed urgent needs like road repairs and waste management.
Financial Mismanagement at the Core
A key grievance in the motion is Maloka’s handling of finances, particularly her failure to implement a financial recovery plan mandated by the national Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
This plan was meant to stabilise the municipality’s budget, which has ballooned with irregular expenditures and unpaid debts to suppliers.
One glaring example is a R500,000 trip to Germany in 2024, where Maloka and a delegation attended a conference on local governance.
Critics labelled it extravagant, questioning its value amid budget cuts to essential services. The trip sparked audits that revealed overpricing in travel arrangements and a lack of tangible outcomes, such as partnerships or investments for Sedibeng.
The municipality’s annual reports for 2023-2024 show persistent qualified audits, with issues like unauthorised spending and weak internal controls. By mid-2025, Sedibeng owed millions to Eskom and Rand Water, leading to threats of service cutoffs.
Maloka’s administration promised reforms, but delays in the recovery plan have left the district vulnerable to provincial intervention.
In May 2025, facing mounting pressure, Maloka called for an independent probe into what she described as “rampant corruption” and a smear campaign against her.
She argued that accusations were politically motivated to undermine her efforts to clean up the system, but no such investigation has yielded public results, further fuelling doubts about her leadership.
Ethical Scandals That Sealed the Fate
Beyond finances, the motion highlights ethical blunders that have embarrassed the municipality. In 2024, the R465,000 mayoral chain – a ceremonial gold necklace symbolising the office – went missing under mysterious circumstances.
Maloka reported it stolen, but investigations by Gauteng police closed without arrests, raising questions about security protocols and possible insider involvement.
Another bizarre incident involved a municipal Mercedes-Benz vehicle assigned to her office.
In 2023, the car broke down due to what mechanics described as “sugar in the engine” – a deliberate sabotage method where sugar is poured into the fuel tank to cause mechanical failure.
Maloka denied any knowledge, but the event sparked rumours of internal sabotage or misuse of assets, costing taxpayers thousands in repairs.
These scandals, combined with allegations of favouritism in appointments, have painted a picture of a mayor out of touch with her duties.
For instance, in July 2023, Maloka appointed Bishop Jones of the National House of Ministries as Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, a move seen by some as blending politics with personal networks rather than merit.
Residents have voiced anger over these lapses, with community forums in Vanderbijlpark and Meyerton highlighting how they distract from real issues like sewage spills and pothole-ridden roads.
One local activist noted how the missing chain became a symbol of lost priorities, while families struggle with basic services.
PAC’s Shift and Political Ramifications
The PAC’s decision to propose the motion represents a major realignment in Sedibeng’s council dynamics. Previously, they backed Maloka in her 2025 reinstatement, helping secure her one-vote victory.
Now, with Tsotetsi as proposer and Kantso as seconder, the party cites a breakdown in coalition trust, accusing her of sidelining smaller parties in decision-making.
This shift could tip the scales, as the PAC’s votes were crucial last time.
If successful, the motion would trigger a new mayoral election, potentially bringing in fresh leadership to tackle the governance crisis.
The Democratic Alliance, which celebrated her brief ousting in 2025, has welcomed the development, pledging support to end what they call an “ineffective and problematic” reign.
Broader implications extend to Gauteng’s political landscape, where ANC-led coalitions face instability.
Sedibeng’s woes mirror challenges in other districts, like Emfuleni’s water crises, underscoring the need for stable governance to drive economic growth in the Vaal region.
What Happens Next: The Road to Resolution
With the motion received by the municipal manager, the speaker must now convene a special council meeting for debate.
Councillors will vote secretly, and a simple majority could remove Maloka. If ousted, an acting mayor would step in until elections, focusing on urgent fixes like the financial recovery plan.
Maloka has yet to respond publicly, but past defences suggest she may frame this as another political ploy. For Sedibeng’s 1 million residents, the hope is that this “final straw” leads to accountable leadership, ending a cycle of scandals and delivering the services they deserve.
As the meeting date approaches, eyes are on whether coalitions hold or fracture further.
This crisis could be the turning point for Sedibeng, pushing towards transparency and efficiency in a district ripe for revival.
🔴Central News Special Edition | Issue 122: Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Suspended Ekurhuleni Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi Vows ‘I Can’t Go to Jail and Leave My Kids’ Amid Blue Lights Saga Scrutiny 🔴
Download here⬇️⬇️⬇️
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube