LYDENBURG – Various issues was once again raised at a recent council meeting.
Before proceedings got underway, the new DA Cllr, Nicko Janse van Vuuren, was sworn into council after he was elected councillor for Ward 12 in February.
Janse van Vuuren formally pledged his commitment to the South African Government and the speaker of Thaba Chweu, Cllr Susan Magagula said he could now fully participate in council debates as a councillor of TCM.
The meeting continued after the formality and councillors was given the opportunity to discussed notes from previous council meetings. DA Cllr Johan Ligthelm said he would start by referring to a criminal case for the landfill site that former DA Cllr Sonja Boshoff opened.
“It raises the following questions; has a new contractor been appointed, what happened to the previous contractor and has he been paid?”
Acting municipal manager, Mr Surprise Maebela said with regard to the Eco Mare Consortium contract for the landfill site, TCM is still in discussion with the service provider. “There is still an engagement between Eco Mare and the municipality.
The service provider has not been paid in full. They are, however, part of all out debtors. We have a payment plan, but no, he has not been paid yet.”
DA Cllr Farhad Essack said he would like to be updated on the employment status of Mr Gideon Botes. “He was supposed to be investigated for offering his services to the private sector while being employed by TCM.
The acting municipal manager then responded he would launch an investigation into the matter. Can you please provide us with feedback regarding the situation?”
Maebela said that Botes’s contract expired in December and that his contract was renewed. “The reason why he contracted his services out was because he was not certain of his contract being renewed. He is no longer offering his services out of TCM.”
Essack then asked until when his contract had been extended. “When was it renewed and when does it expire?” Maebela said that it was renewed for another six months. “Yes, but until when has it been renewed?” Maebela responded that it would expire at the end of June.
With regard to the disaster management department, Essack asked how far TCM was with obtaining a supposed fire engine.
“The mayor said that a fire truck would be supplied by Mbombela. He added this vehicle would be sent for service after which it would be awarded to TCM. “Has this fire truck been sent to China for a service? Where is the fire truck and when will it be delivered? I need to know from you acting municipal manager when will TCM receive the truck?” Essack persisted.
Maebela confirmed that TCM had not taken delivery of the said truck yet. “We will do a follow-up report on the matter. We will find out where the truck is and when we can receive this fire engine from Mbombela.”
After numerous other issues were also raised and addressed, the four-hour meeting was adjourned. The next council meeting is said to take place on June 17.
