TCM to pass a motion of no confidence.

LYDENBURG – The newspaper was recently confidentially informed that councillors within Thaba Chweu Municipality were apparently moving to pass a motion of no confidence in the revenue manager Mr Mike Mashile.

Councillors apparently drew up the motion in which they stated that Mashilo was undermining them in various areas. The newspaper was also supplied with a copy in which several issues regarding his (mis)management style were raised.

According to an insider, the revenue department has declined drastically under the leadership of Mashilo. “He discarded the indigent policy of 2011/12 without consulting the legal department. According to resolution A45/2011 only Section 3 of the policy was amended and not the entire policy.”

Indigents are defined as those people, due to a number of factors, who are unable to make monetary contributions towards basic services, no matter how small the amounts.

Any household earning less than the amount stated by the financial and fiscal commission from time to time qualifies to be registered as indigent. Typical examples are pensioners, students, the unemployed, disabled persons and single parents. This database must be regularly updated and audit trails of all changes must be kept and checked on at least a monthly basis.

The motion further stated that Mashilo failed to present the new indigent policy 2012/13 to council for discussion, hence no public participation was conducted by ward councillors. “He is failing to make sure that monthly bills are printed on time for delivery and posting and that affects revenue collection. Consumers and ratepayers who are in credit do not receive their monthly bills whereas all debtors are entitled to receive their bills irrespective of reflecting a debit or credit balance. He never indicated that to council.”

They also said that he failed to control cut-off lists. “He allows his credit control staff to print cut-offs after the 20th of each month, instead of two days after the due date of payment.”

In the motion they also mentioned that they had realised that revenue collection had declined since he took over as the revenue manager because of his attitude and behaviour towards consumers and ratepayers.

“He fails to instil discipline and order in the department since staff members do as they wish in this department.”