Nasty VBS saga twist for municipal officials
"We were never privileged with information which could tell us that these appointees, who were temporarily appointed, have the right qualifications, expertise and experience to function effectively and efficiently in those critical positions, particularly the CFO position, which requires a lot of experience and responsibilities for a municipality of our calibre," Kgwedi added.
BURGERSFORT – Officials from local municipalities in Limpopo have been shown the door for their involvement in the VBS Mutual Bank saga. Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) was the last to act on implicated officials.
Last Friday a special council sitting took a decision to suspend municipal manager (MM), Nonto Patience Busane and acting chief financial officer (CFO), Frank Maredi. The meeting was held in council chamber.
They were suspended with full salary, pending investigations into the VBS bank issue.
FTLM’s communication team confirmed to Steelburger/Lydenburg News that Lefty Gabaganenwe will be acting MM while Demmy Mapotsane will serve as acting CFO.
The DA’s Lethabile Kgwedi said his party proposed a motion in council on July 19‚ which was struck off the council agenda. In that motion‚ the DA called for an investigation into the depositing of the municipality’s funds into VBS. It also called for the suspension of officials implicated and the laying of charges against those involved.
“Had they agreed to the DA’s motion, which was tabled in the council meeting, we would have saved a lot in terms of financial resources and our most precious resource, called time,” said Kgwedi. Opposition parties also questioned the appointment of the two replacements.
“We were never privileged with information which could tell us that these appointees, who were temporarily appointed, have the right qualifications, expertise and experience to function effectively and efficiently in those critical positions, particularly the CFO position, which requires a lot of experience and responsibilities for a municipality of our calibre,” Kgwedi added.
Sekhukhune Residents Association’s (SRA) Putiputi Mokgakala said his association welcomes the suspension of those linked with VBS.
“We welcome the acting personnel and hope they will stick to their core responsibilities. We condone the slow pace in which our provincial administration is handling this VBS saga concerning its political deployees in all Sekhukhune municipalities.
“We urge Premier Stan Mathabatha to fast-track the issue of recalling his mayors with immediate effect.”
Sanco’s Jackson Tjatji said, “The mayor, Johannes Phokane, has to do the right thing and steps down before he will be embarrassed by the ANC in the province. He got an opportunity to lead, but he failed. The municipality is in tatters because of their investment with VBS.
“People are struggling without services, our roads are full of potholes and Operation Mabone has failed.”
