MKHONDO – This follows the dismissal of a number of executive officials in this troubled municipality.

This has raised eyebrows and has led to the DA members in this municipality voicing their concerns.

The party’s caucus leader, Cllr Irene Brussow, said they will raise questions at the next council meeting to enquire about what she described as the “unlawful dismissal” of the executive officials by the mayor, Cllr Mthokozisi Simelane.

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“Recently, Simelane violated Section 54a of the Municipal Systems Act when he suspended municipal officials without any council resolution. The mayor suspended the municipal manager (MM), Maqawe Kunene, on November 29, and Vusi Dube as the acting municipal manager the following day in the same manner. On December 3, he suspended the chief financial officer (CFO), Bheki Maseko, and appointed Cedric Munzhelele as the acting CFO,” said Brussow.

She said the acting manager, Dube, was also dismissed only four days after being appointed to the position, and he assigned a traffic officer, Sydney Masango, as the new acting municipal manager.

“Dube only acted as the municipal manager for three days. Surely the residents of Mkhondo cannot be led by a mayor that changes his executive members on a whim,  without following the correct procedure.

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The mayor did not comply with Section 54a, which deals with the appointment of an acting MM and Section 57, which deals with managers reporting to the municipal manager. This is according to the Municipal System Act and the Municipal Regulations of Suspension of Managers Regulation 6. By complying with the correct procedures of the Municipal Systems Act, an item should have been submitted to council for the approval on both counts of suspension of the municipal manager as well as the CFO,” she said.

“The DA would like to emphasise that we are not part of the mayor’s actions, and we will not allow illegal actions under our watch, especially if it appears to be jobs for a connected few.

The mayor must provide clarity, following which we will consider a motion of no confidence against him. It is only the DA that can lead the people of Mkhondo responsibly with accountability and transparency,” she continued.

This municipality has always been in the hands of the ANC, until recently. After the local government elections, members of the ANC allegedly voted for Simelane as the council executive mayor. Simelane entered the elections as an independent candidate. A media enquiry was emailed to the municipality on Friday. Mpumalanga News had not received a reply at the time of going to press.