Endumeni Council still in meltdown mode
Another thorny issue is a letter written last week to the municipality from MEC Dube's office wanting to know why acting managers at Endumeni are receiving a 35% allowance instead of the 8% allowance as per law.
There was no quorum again at yesterday’s Special Endumeni Council meeting. Only five Councillors were present and Jonathan Soobramoney of the Auditor General’s office was unable to present his report when the meeting was called off by Deputy Mayor Mkhize 30 minutes after the scheduled 3pm start.
The three DA Councillors and three ANC Councillors who do not recognise the position of incumbent municipal manager, TP Biyela, were absent as was Mayor Thulani Mahaye.
The five Councillors cut frustrated figures but it appears as if the Council will continue to be in limbo until the higher authorities step in to clear up the mess left behind after a year of suspensions, the termination of the contracts of three senior managers, the assault on acting municipal manager R Brijraj and the boycotting of meetings.
The DA’s Anthon Raubenheimer was surprised when told the Auditor General’s report for 2013/2013 would have been presented at the meeting saying that is was not on the agenda. He confirmed that he and his two colleagues had notified the municipality that they would not be present.
However, Deputy Mayor Mkhize and Councillor Bheki Ngobese told the Courier that apologies had only been received from Mayor Mahaye.
The Council could again be in the cross-hairs today when Premier Mchunu and MEC Dube visit this afternoon for a predicated showdown. However, some observers believe that with an election looming the heavy weights could do a white wash and tell the Council to get on with the business despite the presence of municipal manager Biyela.
Another thorny issue is a letter written last week to the municipality from MEC Dube’s office wanting to know why acting managers at Endumeni are receiving a 35% allowance instead of the 8% allowance as per law.
Acting managers receive their own salary plus an allowance for filling in for a vacancy. However, it appears as if the actors have been receiving 27% more than they should have been pocketing and the MEC’s office wants answers. Speculation is that the balance of the money may have to be paid back.
