LIMPOPO – The DA in Mopani District Municipality (MDM) says it welcomes the immediate dismissal of chief financial officer (CFO), Sibongile Mathebula, following a formal disciplinary hearing in relation to matters of financial misconduct.

The MDM council’s decision follows the recommendations of a disciplinary hearing conducted in accordance with municipal regulations and labour laws.

Amongst the charges she faced was one on gross negligence relating to the appointment of Ximatsatsa Investment Pty Ltd, which was given a R5.6m purchase order while it was not listed or was not in the appointed panel of service. The irregular payment was flagged by the Auditor-General in October 2024.

The CFO was afforded an opportunity to respond to the allegations during the process of the disciplinary hearing. After careful consideration of the submissions made, the MDM council concluded that dismissal with immediate effect was warranted.

The political party now says it calls on Mayor Pule Shayi to speedily commence the recruitment process for a new suitably qualified CFO.

Mopani DA Cllr Lebbeus Ramalepe says they also urge MDM’s municipal manager, Tshepo Mogano, to implement consequence management to the implicated officials within the finance and supply chain management directorates for the misappropriation of municipal funds and to table the report to council.

“Notwithstanding welcoming the dismissal, we are concerned that the full investigative and disciplinary hearing outcomes were not given to elected councillors, materially affecting their ability to do effective oversight,” Ramalepe said.