Unveiling the Political Crisis in Taseltant
A recent report issued by a committee from the General Inspectorate of Territorial Administration has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Taseltant, a municipality in the Marrakech region known for its electoral stronghold of the prominent minister and leader of the "Pam" party, Fatima Zahra Mansouri. The findings of this report have raised serious concerns regarding significant violations and irregularities within the local council, particularly under the leadership of former president Zainab Shala, who unexpectedly resigned from her position in April of last year.
The inspectorate's investigation, conducted between November 24 and December 26, 2025, has revealed alarming discrepancies in various sectors, including urban planning, taxation, economic licensing, and public facility management. The comprehensive 20-page letter sent to Shala from the Wali of the Marrakech-Safi region detailed numerous infractions related to urban planning codes, tax obligations, and operational regulations that govern this municipality, which is one of the wealthiest in the region.
In the realm of urban development, the report highlighted a significant project approved on December 28, 2023, that sanctioned the construction of a massive residential complex comprising 1,860 villas over an area of 66 hectares. The inspectors noted that this approval violated the minimum land area requirement of 250 square meters and disregarded critical land use and exploitation standards. Furthermore, the report indicated that the municipality issued over 144 permits for real estate subdivisions and housing groups despite the absence of essential sewage infrastructure and potable water supply in 114 of these projects. Instead of adhering to legal standards, the municipality resorted to drilling wells without verifying the safety and quality of the water, and it permitted developments shortly after exempting property owners from the tax on undeveloped urban land due to the alleged difficulty of water connectivity.
The report also provided a list of projects lacking necessary infrastructure, including the "Akbour 10" and "Kanari" projects, which were authorized without proper technical file approvals. Notably, it was revealed that over 72 licenses for illegal home repairs were granted by council members to facilitate unregulated constructions, raising serious ethical concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of the council's decision-making process.
In response to these findings, the Wali has demanded a written explanation from Shala within a ten-day period, in accordance with Article 64 of the Organic Law 113.14. This request has resulted in the suspension of eight council members, leading to disruptions in the council's activities, particularly during the May session due to a lack of quorum.
The gravity of the report's allegations has not only led to immediate political consequences but has also spotlighted broader issues of governance and accountability within local administrative structures. The situation continues to evolve, with the potential for further revelations as investigations proceed.
As reported by achkayen.com.
