The DA plans to lay criminal charges against the politicians and officials who forged council resolutions to keep the former municipal manager in her post illegally.
In the wake of Dr Nomathemba Blaai-Mokghethi’s departure, Hans-Jurie Moolman, the DA caucus chairperson said her sudden resignation would not stop the DA from filing charges.
The MM resigned right after it emerged that the forged documents were used in court cases. The Herald of 15 February 2018 revealed in detail how they were used not only to mislead council but also the Mmabatho and North Gauteng high courts in court papers.
‘Dr Mokgethi now serves as a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, illustrating that the ANC rewards corruption and mismanagement, all at the expense of the people,’ he said.
He added that this step is further necessitated by the Auditor-General’s recent ‘disclaimer’ on the J.B. Marks Local Municipality, which can only be described as the worst result ever in the history of our new democracy.
‘For the past three years, we have been raising concerns about the irregularities in the municipality under the management of Dr Mokgethi. The executive mayor and the speaker simply dismissed them and even formal requests to take steps in accordance with legal prescripts were blatantly ignored. We are in possession of full records of issues that were raised with the offices of the mayor, the speaker and the accounting officer.
‘When this matter is eventually investigated, none of those whom we foresee to be implicated will be able to claim that they were not aware of the happenings. Council trusted them to conduct an oversight role and they failed dismally.
‘We will pursue criminal charges and ensure that the wrongs that deprived our community of progress are exposed and whoever was an accomplice to whatever happened under the accounting officer’s watch is brought to justice,’ he said.
Moolman thanked all the opposition parties and members of the ANC caucus who stood their ground, despite severe pressure to tow a specific party line dictated by powerful individuals within the ANC, for supporting the DA’s efforts ‘to combat corruption’.
‘The MM’s sudden departure has become another classical example of cadre deployment within the ANC. Wrongdoers get promoted and are not held accountable.
‘We are committed to restoring J.B. Marks Municipality and ensuring accountability so that all residents enjoy proper service delivery.
‘It is time for a total change that will be to the benefit of the people of the North West and bring a better future to all,’ he concluded.
