Barely a week into 2017 and Endumeni Council is facing challenges.
However, under the stewardship of acting municipal manager, Desiga Padayachee, it appears as if the challenges are going to be met head on. Mr Padaychee’s tenure was extended at last week’s Council meeting up until the long-running TP Biyela saga is resolved. Mr Biyela, who is technically still the municipal manager of Endumeni Municipality, was suspended three years ago and is still earning around R80 000 a month although he is languishing in Durban.
Mr Biyela is facing various charges but the Council hopes that the case will be completed early this year and allow Endumeni to finally advertise for a full-time municipal manager.
The first Council meeting of the year on Friday resolved to consider a forensic investigation to probe alleged financial misconduct in the financial department. This follows from so-called double payments being made to service providers to the municipality in 2016 amounting to around R2-million.
It is understood that some of the service providers have paid back the monies erroneously made to them. Others have apparently made credit arrangements with the municipality to pay the money back on a monthly basis although the Courier understands that this is contrary to the Municipal Financial Act, known as the MFA. There are also questions as to why one company received tenders valued at over R20-million in recent years to provide services as varied as fencing, the carrying out of residents’ survey and more.
The Council meeting where the issue was discussed went into committee meaning that no members of the public could attend. However, it was revealed later that the Council had decided, following a vote, to consider a forensic investigation into the saga.
The extension of Mr Padayachee’s acting role was also subject to a vote with the six ANC Councillors vehemently opposed to his appointment. According to ANC Councillor Thulani Mahaye, members of his party walked out of the meeting.
However, the IFP/DA/EFF coalition had the casting vote from the Speaker, Bongiwe Mbatha, of the IFP. A casting vote became necessary as the DA’s Anthon Raubenheimer was still on leave.