The former EFF proportional representative (PR) councillor at Ga-Segonyana municipality Olebogeng Leserwane has created his own piece of history by defecting from the youthful party and teasingly naming himself the prodigal son of the ruling ANC.

It is evident that there were numerous upheavals within the top regional structures of the opposition pointing at Leserwane as the chief culprit.

The final straw was reached on January 31, 2019, when a replacement for the outspoken councillor was sworn-in by the regional magistrate, Jacolize Schmulling, after all legal procedures with the Independent Electoral Commission and the municipality were complete.

The new councillor, Bontsiboile Elliot Gaetsewe from Maruping village, took oath and pledged allegiance to the national constitution, leaving no residual suspicion of his predecessor ever assuming the position.

Speaking with the new councillor on the side-lines of the council meeting, he said that his mandate is to ensure party aspirations and objectives are met.

“Coming from an opposition legislative arm, the mandate is equally the same : We have to fulfil the expectations of our people. We should not blow against the wind of people’s expectations and the first tool to achieve that, as a councillor, is that I must be visible to my constituency with or without their expected projected deliverables. My presence and explanation will always make a difference between a protest and a dependable and informative councillor,” said Mr Gaetsewe.

Speaking to his fellow councillors from the party councillors, Henry Chweu and Phenyo Ohentswe who doubles as regional chairperson of the party, said that they believe the new councillor will serve the interests of the people in the council while meeting the objectives of the party.