TCM milked for millions

LYDENBURG – The sheriff of the Supreme Court on Wednesday served Thaba Chweu Municipality (TCM) with a notice of attachment in execution.

A total of 17 vehicles, including the executive mayor, Mr Michael Ncongwane’s ML Mercedes Benz, were laid under judicial attachment.

Four tractors, two trailers, three trucks and seven bakkies were all written down in notice of the attachment in execution. Steelburger/Lydenburg News received news that the sheriff was instructed to attach and take into execution the movable goods of the defendant (TCM) and to cause the same to be realised by public auction the sum of R1 700 735,70 with interest thereon and charges of the plaintiff (VD Transcribers cc).

This is the second time in two months that the sheriff has paid a visit to TCM for collection of municipal vehicles. In October this year, the sheriff also threatened to take possession of several municipal vehicles relating to the outstanding Eco Mare Consortium account of R2,5 million. This service provider stopped all operations at the landfill site earlier this year on account of non-payment.

According to Mr Robert Collin of Eco Mare, TCM asked them for an extension on their attachment to which they agreed. “They paid us R1,2 million with the promise of payment for the other outstanding amount.

That was two weeks ago and yet again nothing came of the promises. We have no choice now but to work through our attorneys and this time we will not intervene, should the sheriff need to serve them with a judicial attachment for the property.”

An insider at the municipality said they welcomed the repossession of the mayoral vehicle.

The said vehicle had from the word go been a burning issue within TCM. Even when the municipality did not have two cents to rub together, a million rand was budgeted for a mayoral vehicle.

In September last year, despite an urgent plea from the opposition party not to buy a new vehicle for the executive mayor, Cllr Makhosanzane Masilela made it clear the ANC as ruling party would give the mandate to purchase a new vehicle, without referring the matter back to council.

Cllr Fahrad Essack then advised council not to buy a vehicle during 2012, since there was only more or less 12 weeks left and the car’s would therefore immediately loose trading value come 2013.

The pitch black ML 500 was nonetheless delivered to TCM in December last year.

The acting municipal manager, Mr Godfrey Nkosi took it upon himself to provide the newspaper with information and clear and concise answers regarding the said incident.

Nkosi said TCM needed to use money responsibly. “We cannot pay for things that were not provided. We have a payment plan in place.”

He confirmed the fact that the sheriff served TCM with a notice of attachment in execution. “We are disputing this amount.”

On an invoice Nkosi had provided the newspaper with, the municipality is being charged R19,85 per minute for the transcribing services rendered by VD Transcribers. If converted to an hourly rate, this amounts to almost R1 200 per hour. “This is an absolutely exuberating amount of money. TCLM will dispute the 47 989 minutes charged. We need proof that this work has been done. Where is the work? Did the municipality really need transcribers, and at such an expensive rate?”

He did confirm that TCM is on top of this matter and dealing with it with the assistance of its legal team.

Nkosi said it would be irresponsible to speak on behalf of Eco Mare and that queries should be directed to them.

What the newspaper found strange is that on the invoice provided from VD Transcribers, the business premises is given as stand number 83 in GA Manyaka Driekop. The “company” is also charging this R1,7 million for a mere three months’ work. It states: “Invoice for Thaba Chweu Municipality for hearings and councils between Thaba Chweu Municipality and clients commenced on 20/09/2012 to 20/12/2012.”

The telephone number provided on the invoice went unanswered.