DA accuses GTM’s acting MM of misusing funds.
“Monyepao is in court fighting to stop the Hawks' investigation which could potentially implicate her and other senior officials including those in her office. The funds used in this case are not approved by council as a resolution,” he alleged.
BURGERSFORT- The DA in Limpopo has accused the Greater Tubatse Municipality’s (GTM) acting municipal manager (MM) Ms Adelaide Monyepao of once again misusing municipal funds.
The party alleged Monyepao is in the Gauteng High Court to sweep fraud and corruption charges, against her and her cronies, under the carpet.
Steelburger/Lydenburg News contacted the DA’s spokesman Mr Stephen Mbedzi who told the paper that his party was saddened by the mismanagement of the municipal monies.
“Monyepao is in court fighting to stop the Hawks’ investigation which could potentially implicate her and other senior officials including those in her office. The funds used in this case are not approved by council as a resolution,” he alleged.
According to Mbedzi, the acting MM was arguing that the due channels in instituting the investigation were not properly followed and that made the Hawks investigation illegal.
According to DA councillors in the municipality, there were many issues which needed attention and finances, to benefit and better the lives of the poor instead of spending time and money in court.
Mbedzi added, “The DA cannot allow a situation whereby accounting officers uses state resources to fight their battles, if it is not in the interest of the people. There are thousands of people in the Tubatse area who lack service delivery and the money should be used to improve their lives.”
Steelburger/Lydenburg News learnt from reliable sources in the municipality that Monyepao and the mayor Mr Ralepane Mamekoa had been in Pretoria since Monday August 4.
GTM had been previously making news headlines for wrong reason. Corruption, maladministration and finance mismanagement amounting to violation of the Municipal Finance Management Act and supply-chain policies have been on the centre of the municipalities’ circuses.
The party once again urged cooperative governance and traditional affairs’ MEC Ms Makoma Makhurupetja to intervene in the illegal usage of municipal funds in personal court battles.
“The people continue to regret placing this council in the hands of the crooks who strive for nothing but to benefit the few,” Mbedzi concluded.
The paper contacted the municipality spokesman, Mr Thabiso Mokoena who confirmed that the acting MM was indeed in Pretoria.
“She is in the capital city but not on personal issues, she is dealing with municipal issues. What I can tell you is that the court is ruling in favour of GTM, as most documents seized by the police unit have to be returned to be rechecked.”
Mokoena added that more information was going to be issued by the GTM to the paper in due course.
Spokesman for the Hawks Mr Paul Ramoloko was unavailable for a comment at the time of going to print.
It is not for the first time the DA questioned the management of GTM. In February the party marched to the municipal buildings where it handed over a memorandum of demands that included clean water in the communities and proper roads.
