There is a total shutdown at Lesedi municipal offices

Heidelberg residents frustrated with no service at offices

June 26, 2019

Heidelberg Nigel Heraut 1 minute read

A group of people (some identified themselves as the Imbumba Business Association) are forcing an ongoing total shutdown at the municipal offices of Lesedi Local Municipality in HF Verwoerd Street since June 18.

The group demands the removal of acting Municipal Manager Advocate Gugu Thimane. They are accusing her of not following the correct procedures with the awarding of a multi-million rand contract.

Gerry Holtzhausen (DA Councillor for LMM) says opposition parties believe that this is a ploy to get rid of Thimane who has been fighting corruption within the municipality. “These are the players with political agendas and who have been ‘capturing’ LLM for the past few years’ attempt to discredit Advocate Thimane.

“Thimane has given her full cooperation with an investigation into the allegations, and welcomes it. According to Thimane, she has followed the correct procedures and is confident that the investigation will find her innocent,” Holtzhausen said.

According to Holtzhausen the investigation is said to be conducted by the provincial minister of COGTA, the Auditor-General and Treasury.

According to witnesses the so-called “disgruntled group” forced their way into the municipal offices on June 18 and again on June 24, and demanded that everyone (staff and residents) leave the building, apparently yielding shambok’s and firearms.

Holtzhausen says Thimane is waiting for the outcome of the investigation before taking further action as advised by her legal team. “They threatened her life and she is now forced to work outside of Heidelberg,” Holtzhausen said.