The Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus in the Lesedi Local Municipality on 9 July 2026, formally submitted a motion of no confidence against Executive Mayor, Mluleki Nkosi, to the Municipal Manager, in terms of Rule 16(3) of Council’s Standing Rules and Orders.
This step follows a sustained pattern of financial mismanagement and governance failure under the Executive Mayor’s leadership. Council’s own Section 71 report for the period ending May 2026 records an unfunded budget, a shrinking cash position, and a revenue collection rate of roughly 76% against a required benchmark of 95%. The municipality’s Eskom arrears have nearly quadrupled during this term of office, prompting Rand Water to throttle the water supply to Lesedi by 20% July 2026 over non-payment. Lesedi’s total creditor’s book now stands at approximately R625.7 million.
The ongoing water crisis in Heidelberg has driven residents to protest, including violent unrest in July 2026 in which the Executive Mayor’s residence was burned, a stark illustration of how far the relationship between the Executive Mayor and the community he is meant to serve has broken down.
We believe the cumulative weight of this record amounts to a failure by the Executive Mayor to fulfil his duties under Local Government legislation. Lesedi residents deserve a municipality that pays its bills, accounts for public money, and keeps the taps running. They have not had that under the current Executive Mayor.
We will continue to hold this administration to account and will not stand by while residents carry the cost of financial mismanagement and administrative failure.
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