Endumeni circus drags on as municipal managers change faster than the weather
After the Council went into committee, it was heard that Mr Makhoba's contract was terminated and Mrs Mkhize was appointed acting municipal manager in absentia.
Following up from yesterday’s Council meeting – which, according to the DA the notice of which did not follow the laid down Standing Orders – Endumeni now has THREE municipal managers.
A decision, made in committee, was made to axe acting municipal manager, T Makhoba. He has been in the seat since December. In addition, REAL municipal manager, TP Biyela, has been suspended for almost two-and-half-years as his case drags on with him earning R80 000 a month.
It is a controversial decision as the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, COGTA, allows for a three month extension for an acting position. Mr Makhoba was widely credited for his ‘strict control of staff’.
However, sources told the Courier that this did not go down well with some politicians who out maneuvered his supporters by last night appointing chief financial officer, Bonga Mkhize, as acting municipal manager, who was not present at the meeting.
Before the meeting went into committee, it was seen by the media and public gallery that the only senior manager present was Corporate Services’ Martin Hlangani who himself is currently under investigation for various misdemeanours.
Mr Hlangeni was then appointed acting municipal manager as Mr Makhoba was attending to Council affairs in Pietermaritzburg. Confusion reigned in regards to the minutes of the previous meeting with Councillors appearing to be in disagreement. Speaker Mdluli said the minutes did not reflect what was discussed at the previous meeting. No DA councillors were present.
There was uncertainty as to when officials should be allowed to attend Council meetings – when these are in or out of committee (closed to the public). After the Council went into committee, it was heard that Mr Makhoba’s contract was terminated and Mrs Mkhize was appointed acting municipal manager in absentia.
Later, the Courier was told Speaker Mdluli received a letter from COGTA the contents of which are not known at this stage. Comment is still awaited from COGTA and the Council.
This follows on from last week’s allegations that four staff members whose contracts had been terminated, were summarily re-appointed. Latest news is the municipal unions are up in arms over the latest saga and may soon down tools.
