LIMPOPO – Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality (BPM) municipal manager, Dr Kgoshi Pilusa, was placed under precautionary suspension on Wednesday, September 25.

The announcement was made by the municipality stating that the suspension comes after an investigation pertaining to administrative matters.

As a result, the council took the decision to appoint corporate services senior manager, Jamela Selapyane, as the acting municipal manager with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the Independent Municipal Allied Trade Union (IMATU), says it welcomes the suspension of Pilusa.

According to Michael Mokgomola, shop steward for IMATU, Pilusa does not qualify to hold the office of municipal manager.

He says Pilusa was a school principal when he was appointed manager in the office of the municipal manager.

“The position in the MM’s office was on a middle management level and in order to be a municipal manager you have to have served as a senior manager or a director for five years. He was promoted to a senior manager in corporate services. After only a few years, he was appointed MM by the mayor,” he said.

Mokgomolo further states that the former CoGSTHA minister, Thembi Nkadimeng, directed CoGSTHA MEC, Basikopo Makamu, to recall the appointment of Pilusa as he had failed an assessment test.

He says despite this, Mayor Merriam Malatji and the council appointed him.

Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality could not be reached for comment before print. The Herald will follow-up on the story.