The MEC of local government and human settlements, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe has sent a letter to the executive mayor stating that the municipal manager, Dr. Blaai-Mokgethi’s contract must come to an end in August.
The letter states that according to Section 57(6)(a) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act No 32 of 2000 the employment contract of a municipal manager must be for a fixed term of employment up to a maximum of five years, not exceeding a period ending one year after the election of the next council of the municipality.
‘For the purpose of this correspondence, the date of election of the next council is legally deemed to be the date on which the results of the 2016 municipal general elections were published in a government gazette which is 10 August 2016. Therefore, a year later, that date is 09 August 2017 beyond which no municipal manager’s employment contract from the previous electoral cycle shall be valid,’ reads the letter.
The mayor has been directed by the MEC to strictly comply with legislation and correct the situation. Gaolaolwe further states that any councillors who were negligent in taking this wrongful decision must be held individually liable for any financial loss that the municipality may incur as a result of a voluntarily legal settlement and/or litigation.
The Herald has received copies of the municipal manager’s appointment letter which was signed by the executive mayor wherein the contract is stated to be for a fixed period not exceeding two years after the next municipal elections.
In documents of the special council meeting there is no mention of the terms of the contract, only that it must be in line with section 57(6)(a) of the local government: Municipal Systems Act No 32 of 2000 and the municipal performance regulations for section 57 for employees.
According to Victor Boqo, mayoral spokesperson, the mayor has not received any correspondence from the office of the MEC. He stated that municipal records show that the municipal manager’s contract only ends 30 June 2018.
Spokesperson for the office of the MEC, Ben Bole, confirmed that the MEC had sent the letter to the executive mayor to address the discrepancy with the MM’s contract.
