LYDENBURG -The mayor of TCM, Mr Michael Ncongwane, allegedly jumped the gun by indicating that the acting municipal manager, Mr Godfrey Nkosi was leaving TCM after his contract ended on Monday.
In terms of the turnaround strategy, Nkosi’s contractual appointment expired on March 31.
Insiders at the municipality said that Ncongwane apparently wanted to “see the last of Nkosi” and therefor called a meeting informing staff and employees that Nkosi would be leaving.
However, only the premier is allowed to remove the acting municipal manager due to the fact that he was seconded to TCM by MEC Mr Simon Skosana.
Nkosi was the fourth person in that capacity in the past year. He was recently the man in the hot seat when the Carte Blanche crew visited the town to report on the serious crisis threatening the town and the lack of basic service delivery within the governing body’s boundaries.
The announcement of his departure came mere days after the investigative broadcast on Sunday in which he told the Carte Blanche news crew that definite improvements would be brought about within 30 days (22 had already passed since they visited the town).
According to a source within TCM, the impression has been created that deep divisions exist within the TCM political administration. “Certain camps prefer the administration to be led by Nkosi where on the other hand, it is distinctly clear that the other camp looks forward to his removal so that it can further its own political agendas.”
Information has it that certain contracts such as grass cutting at the old Mashishing Clinic have still not been paid to service providers. “There is a huge desire to pay these contractors who are favoured by individuals in the hierarchy of the ANC administration.
Further intentions are to appoint Mr Jacob Phala as director of social and community affairs, thereby assisting and protecting certain mayoral committee councillor’s whose positions might be threatened soon after the elections.”
It is not certain who will now take over the reins at TCM and what province will implement.
Mr Surprise Maebela confirmed that Nkosi’s contract had ended. “We have not received formal communication from province, but we have received a letter stating that his legislative contract has ended.
TCM will release an official statement in due course. I am convinced that even if Nkosi’s contract has seconded, he will leave us with a planned report. We are experiencing a vacuum for the position of municipal manager, but in my opinion he will still assist if necessary.”
Apparently Nkosi, Ncongwane and the administrative team were called to a meeting with the MEC to discuss the scenario but no outcome of the discussions was available at the time of going to press.
