MBOMBELA – The local municipality has appointed a new chief financial officer (CFO). Mr Oupa Mokoena was appointed by council during a special meeting on May 28.
The report submitted to council requesting that Mokoena’s appointment be effected, stated that Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM) had been without a CFO “for a long time”. It has been about two years since the municipality last had a chief at the helm of its finances.
The report detailed how MLM had advertised the position and even head-hunted candidates. Mokoena was shortlisted along with six others in October 2013. Since then he was appointed first as acting deputy CFO and more recently as deputy CFO. He had been offered a three-year contract.
The appointment was widely welcomed. DA caucus leader Mr Jo Koster said it was a very good choice.
“He is solid, solid, solid. He has held Mbombela’s finances together for the past six months. He came through the ranks, working his way up. His appointment is a victory for the community.”
The executive mayor Cllr Sibusiso Mathonsi tabled his budget for the 2015/16 financial year during the meeting. DA chief whip, Mr Werner le Grange, commended the efforts that had been made to turn things around at Mbombela over the past year.
He noted how the spending of conditional grants had improved but cautioned against existing risk factors still faced by the municipality. Among them were councillors not receiving quarterly financial expenditure reports.
“We expect the mayor to take the lead to do everything he can to enhance the revenue base. The DA supports the budget and the mayor, and will make sure there is accountability and action.”
- Read more:
“New mayor promises new CFO in budget speech“
