I write this letter with a heavy heart – to reflect on Henka Kotzee’s earlier warnings about the looming crisis in leadership within the Lejweleputswa District Municipality.
Several months ago, Kotzee raised concerns regarding the visible signs of dysfunction, poor accountability, and the deteriorating integrity of leadership in this institution. These were not personal grievances, but a call for urgent introspection and collective action.
Kotzee cautioned that we were on a dangerous path-one marked by what I called a “bankruptcy of leadership”. This phrase was not meant to insult, but to emphasise the growing absence of moral courage, strategic vision, and service-driven governance.
Today, as we grapple with widespread service delivery failures, administrative paralysis and growing public discontent, it is painfully clear that the cracks Kotzee spoke of were real. The deep erosion of public trust was the result of a leadership vacuum that many choose to ignore.
– Concerned resident, Welkom
Unfortunately, warnings went unheeded.
Today, as we grapple with widespread service delivery failures, administrative paralysis and growing public discontent, it is painfully clear that the cracks Kotzee spoke of were real. The deep erosion of public trust was the result of a leadership vacuum that many choose to ignore.
This letter is not about assigning blame. Rather, it is a final appeal to those still within positions of influence to take responsibility, to act with urgency, and to put the people of this district first. Leadership is not merely about holding office – it is about being present, accountable, and principled in the face of difficult choices.
Let this moment serve as a wake-up call. If we are to salvage what remains and restore dignity to the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, we must begin by admitting where we failed and commit to doing better.
– Concerned resident, Welkom
Let this moment serve as a wake-up call. If we are to salvage what remains and restore dignity to the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, we must begin by admitting where we failed and commit to doing better.
The municipality must terminate the contract of all pensioners working in the political offices. The municipality was financially stable when this administration took over.
The MEC of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) must urgently put this district in Section 139 with immediate effect. What kind of district does not have a qualified engineer?
The money has been used in events, not on service delivery. There is an office that was hiring cars for the better part of the term. The executive mayor and the speaker bought new cars. Thus, we kindly request the Hawks to speed up the investigation before one of them resigns.
