Addressing the civic leaders on Tuesday, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, also expressed concern over what he described as growing tensions between elected leaders and Council administrators. He stated that his Ministry has received numerous reports of conflicts involving mayors, council chairpersons and council secretaries or town clerks, warning that such disputes were undermining effective local governance. According to the Minister, many of the clashes stem from a lack of understanding of the distinct roles assigned to politicians and civil servants under the law. Motshegwa emphasised that each office has clearly defined responsibilities and urged all the parties to respect such boundaries. "My office has received many reports where chairpersons, mayors and council secretaries or town clerks clash over various issues.
Some councillors do not want to work with certain officials. This happens because some people have crossed the line or stepped into another person's area of responsibility," he said. Hence, Motshegwa reminded councillors that they were elected to provide political leadership and oversight, while council secretaries and town clerks are responsible for the administration of councils, including advising elected leaders and implementing council resolutions. "Councillors, know your mandate. The town clerk's office is not your office. Your office is the mayor's office. Likewise, town clerks and council secretaries must know that their role is to advise councillors and implement council resolutions. “You cannot force politicians to do something they do not want to do. The Local Government Act of 2012 clearly guides all of us on these matters," he told the meeting. The Minister further cautioned both politicians and civil servants against interfering in each other's responsibilities, saying mutual respect is essential for councils to function effectively.
