Maquassi Hills Council Speaker, Sarah Nkatlo has been accused of abusing her Council powers following her appointmenting the new Chief Financial Officer and Director of Community Services during a council meeting
The Economic Freedom Fighters - EFF in Maquassi Hills has condemned the deepening governance crisis in the municipality
Council Speaker, Sarah Nkatlo unlawfully imposed a Chief Financial Officer despite a clear majority of councillors supporting another candidate in a council meeting
The second largest opposition party in the municipality said, the Council Speaker is in violation of Municipal Structures Act
"The EFF in Maquassi Hills raised a procedural objection before the Speaker Sarah Nkatlo, making it clear that her discretion cannot be invoked in the absence of a tied vote. Section 30(4) of the Municipal Structures Act empowers the Speaker to break a deadlock, however, in Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, this provision has been misapplied without any deadlock" - EFF in Maquassi Hills
The party also said, the process is irregular and has prompted their plans to approach legal action
"The Speaker is in violation of Section 30(4) of the Municipal Structures Act; this irregular process, compounded by the Mayor’s directive to withhold appointment letters, has prompted plans for legal action, with the EFF demanding the decision be nullified and accountability enforced to protect lawful and democratic governance" - EFF in Maquassi Hills
15 of 21 councillors have voted in favour of the 2nd candidate for the position of the CFO resulting in majority decision
The EFF said, Nkatlo undermined the will of the majority and integrity of Council decision-making process
"This unlawful conduct is further compounded by the Mayor on the Memo dated 20 March 2026 written to the Municipal Manager" - EFF in Maquassi Hills
In the council meeting that was recently held, four ANC councillors walked out in a protest as the CFO appointment was on the agenda
Together with councillors from the South African Political Association (SAPA), the DA, Freedom Front Plus and Forum For Service Delivery, they said by ignoring the majority, Nkatlo violated the council’s established rules and as a presiding officer, her duty was just to facilitate the council proceedings
The dispute arose when the municipal manager submitted three candidates for consideration
Sello Moraka, a spokesperson for Sapa and a councillor, said instead of putting the matter to a council vote, Nkatlo overruled the majority and appointed the first candidate as CFO, despite objections from both the opposition and a faction of the ANC, Nkatlo insisted she was exercising her “discretion” and allegedly directed the council to move on to the next agenda item
The candidate who was appointed to be the Maquassi Hills Municipality CFO is reportedly a CFO in another municipality
The EFF also said, it is troubling that ANC and opposition councillors have distanced themselves from an item of such significance, exposing lack of leadership and accountability
ANC and other opposition councillors plan to approach courts to reverse Nkatlo's decisions
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Updated: April 2026
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