There was drama at the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality head office in Bloemfontein recently when acting city manager Mzingisi Nkungwana had to be physically forced out of his office after he reported for duty against an order to stay away.
The municipality has been dogged by endless power struggles which have seen mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana taking the council, its speaker and Nkungwana to court.
This after council had voted in favour of extending Nkungwana’s contract as the metro’s acting city manager.
Siyonzana wanted the Free State High Court to interdict Nkungwana from carrying out duties as city manager and not to set foot at the municipal premises since his contract as director for social services had ended on March 31, 2022.
The urgent court application was however struck off the roll.
Siyonzana also wrote to Nkungwana on April 14, 2022 demanding that he returns all municipal property in his possession and “cease executing his powers as city manager”.
The feud allegedly deteriorated in the past few days, resulting in Nkungwana being physically ejected from his office allegedly on the orders of the municipality.
A video of the altercation has been circulating on social media.
In one clip, Nkungwana, who is believed to be asthmatic, can be seen asking for his oxygen pump following some pushing and shoving.
Municipal spokesperson Qondile Khedama confirmed the incident in the video to journalists on Wednesday, saying it was not “doctored”.
The municipality was placed under national administration following cabinet approval at the beginning of April.
An interim management team that will take over the running of the metro was announced on Wednesday.
The team, which was announced by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, will be led by Tebogo Motlashuping as the acting city manager.
