The Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality is in a state of lockdown following a shooting incident on its premises, the latest violent escalation in a bitter political feud that has seen two councillors claiming the title of mayor.
The municipal manager has issued a directive for all employees to stay home for two days, a move supported by the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU), which cited grave concerns for staff safety. Workers are tentatively expected to return on Wednesday, though the union has cast doubt on whether the environment will be secure.
The crisis stems from a council meeting on July 9th, where councillor Diana Bitso was removed from her position as mayor. Councillor Itumele Mohabi was elected to replace her. However, Bitso has refused to accept the council’s decision, maintaining that she is the legitimate mayor and taking the matter to the North West High Court in Mahikeng. While her urgent application was dismissed, the case is still set to follow normal court processes.
This political deadlock has now turned dangerous. Police confirmed they are investigating a shooting that occurred outside the municipal offices on Monday morning. While details are still emerging, initial reports from the Democratic Alliance (DA) indicate the incident involved a violent confrontation between a municipal security company and the bodyguards of local councillors. One security officer was wounded in the exchange.
SAMWU Chairperson Tshepo Mogwere expressed the union’s primary concern. “We cannot drill too much into what happened yesterday… the only concern that we are having here as SAMWU is the safety of the employees,” Mogwere stated. He confirmed the union influenced the decision to close the offices.
When asked if workers were safe to return tomorrow, Mogwere was unequivocal: “Up to so far, no. I can say no… as long as the situation is still the same, I don’t think we can allow our workers to come to this kind of environment.”
This is not the first time the municipality has been rocked by political instability. In 2020, approximately 15 ANC councillors were suspended after they voted with opposition parties to remove the then-speaker and mayor, both from the ANC.
The ongoing infighting has raised alarms about crippled service delivery for local residents. With the municipal offices closed and political leadership in disarray, essential services are being hampered. Community members and opposition parties are calling for urgent intervention from the ANC provincial leadership and the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to resolve the crisis and restore order to the embattled municipality.
