By Karabo Rammutla
Just hours after being sworn in as the Mayor of Ditsobotla in the North West on Monday, Elizabeth Lethoko tendered her resignation.
Lethoko has taken over the title of shortest serving mayor after resigning within 24 hours of being appointed.
The previous record was held by the ANC’s Dada Morero who served as the mayor of Johannesburg for a matter of days in 2022.
She tendered her resignation letter to the newly elected speaker of the ANC, Fikile Jakeni.
Lethoko, who was once an ANC member, was elected mayor through a coalition between the ANC and the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
The PA, Lethoko’s party, said it is in full support of Lethoko’s decision.
In a statement the PA said it would have been unconscionable for Lethoko to continue following what the party said was blatant corruption in council.
“As a result I shall now work in opposition to this local ANC leadership, with the support of my party,” said Lethoko.
However, Lethoko is not new to the mayoral post or controversy in council.
She was reportedly convicted of fraud and in breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act in 2015 for attempting to influence the finance chief to use municipal funds for a birthday party, disguised as a Women’s Day celebratory event.
Pictured above: Elizabeth Lethoko resigned just hours after being sworn in as Mayor of Ditsobotla
Image source: @Power987
