DA challenges extension of Centlec CEO’s term behind closed doors

'Secret meetings undermine public trust'

- By Bongani Mdakane

The DA in Mangaung has accused ANC mayor Gregory Nthatisi and council speaker Lawrence Mathae of pushing through an unlawful extension of Centlec CEO Malefane Sekoboto’s contract.

Sekoboto's five-year-term contract expired on December 31 last year; however, his stay at the helm of the Bloemfontein-based power utility was extended to March 31 this year.

The DA said the move was approved in a closed virtual council sitting and risks deepening governance failures in a metro that has been under administration since 2019.

"Despite the municipality being under administration since 2019, governance continues to deteriorate because the necessary legislation is not being followed. The DA will alert oversight bodies, including the auditor-general, the provincial legislature, and the parliamentary portfolio committee on cooperative governance and traditional affairs, to address these ongoing governance failures.

Kotze said that during a closed virtual council meeting on December 30, 2025, the DA refused to take part in a vote to extend Sekoboto's contract by three months, warning that the decision "violates legal requirements" and exposes Mangaung to serious governance, audit and legal risks.