The Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality has appointed a new chairperson for its public accounts committee as the eastern Free State local authority looks to improve management of the public purse and quicken service delivery.

Mamodupa Maria Motloung, who was a member of the mayoral committee responsible for infrastructure, was voted chief watchdog over public funds at a council meeting held on September 13.

She takes over from Malefu Vilakazi who headed the key committee before his elevation to the position of executive mayor of the municipality of more than 720 000 people.

Vilakazi took over the mayor’s job following the relocation of former mayor Balekile Mzangwa to the provincial department of health where he is chief operations officer.

Nominating Motloung, fellow ANC councillor Shashapa Motaung said her appointment was not only appropriate and progressive because she was a woman but also because she brings with her rich and vast experience in local government and public administration.

She said: “Motloung has is not the right candidate only because she is a woman but also because she has the credentials needed to chair the committee.”

Welcoming Motloung to the post of public accounts committee boss, opposition  Dikwankwetla Party of South Africa leader Moeketsi Lebesa said Motloung has exhibited the kind of leadership needed to drive the key committee in the right direction.

“With your rich political background and experience in leadership we belief we are in good hands which will lead us to the right direction,” Lebesa said.

It is not the first time that Motloung is taking a high-profile public leadership task, having served before as speaker of Maluti a Phofung Local Municipality from 2006 to 2011.

At the public accounts committee Motloung is among other things in charge of ensuring municipal departments manage public funds in line with the stipulated rules and regulations, especially the Municipal Finance Management Act.