By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The speaker of the Mangaung Metro Municipality in the Free State, Stefanie Lockman-Naidoo, has resigned with immediate effect.
Lockman-Naidoo addressed her resignation letter to the Acting Municipal Manager (ACM) Tebego Motlashuping on Wednesday 15 March 2023.
Her resignation comes after the embattled former mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana was recalled by the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC).
In her resignation letter, Lockman-Naidoo said: “I want to thank the ANC for entrusting me with this position and believe and trust that the organisation will consider our discussions over the last few weeks.
“The ANC remains the leader of society and as a loyal and disciplined member I will abide by any decision the organisation implements and I shall trust in that wisdom.
“I am available and will continue to serve the organisation with honour and diligence.”
In 2022, the Mangaung ANC’s Interim Regional Committee (IRC) suspended Lockman-Naidoo.
She allegedly defied the order of the party, not to allow a sitting which saw the former Acting City Manager, Sello More, removed from his office.
A month later, after the announcement of her suspension, the ANC Mangaung dragged Lockman-Naidoo to a disciplinary hearing.
The charges related to her defying the party mandate in council.
Lockman-Naidoo later said the charges against her were a witch-hunt from different ANC factions, led by the convener and coordinator of the Mangaung’s Interim Regional Committee (IRC).
The metro which is currently under the national government’s intervention for failure to deliver mere basic services to residents is now without a mayor, permanent MM, and speaker.