Former mayor’s post met with opposition
"THE appointment of former Mogalakwena mayor, Tlhalefi Mashamaite as member of the mayoral committee at the Waterberg District Municipality is shocking and unacceptable," read a statement by Stephen Manamela, DA caucus leader of the Waterberg District Municipality.
MOKOPANE – “THE appointment of former Mogalakwena mayor, Tlhalefi Mashamaite as member of the mayoral committee at the Waterberg District Municipality is shocking and unacceptable,” read a statement by Stephen Manamela, DA caucus leader of the Waterberg District Municipality.
Mashamaite was recalled as mayor of the Mogalakwena Municipality on June 1 by the ANC to strengthen service delivery, and Parks Sebatjane has since taken over the reigns .
Mashamaite told Bosveld on Tuesday morning: “I am happy to be part of the Waterberg District Municipality and that I am not on the street. I am responsible for the budget and treasury portfolio”.
“The ANC proofs through this appointment that they have no interest in management, especially financial management. They would rather follow party-political conviction,” stated Manamela. According to the statement, many investigations, including a forensic audit, during Mashamaite’s time as mayor points to corruption, a standstill of service delivery and a dysfunctional municipality, where the police was called in numerous times to protect the mayor.
“Even the ANC T-shirts to the value of R8 000 were bought with service fees. The appointment is of great concern because Mashamaite in his capacity will be in charge of managing the budget and finances of the Waterberg District Municipality.
“We have also acknowledged the fact that Nadine Laubscher, chief financial officer and qualified CA of the Waterberg District Municipality has resigned.”
The Waterberg District Municipality was the only and last municipality in Limpopo to receive a clean audit report from the Auditor- General.
“The ANC has certainly missed the opportunity to prove their seriousness against corruption. This cadre deployment, especially so soon before an election, indicates disaster and the only losers are delivering critical services to the residents of our district.”
Tolly Mashamaite, regional secretary of the ANC Waterberg district, responded to the DA’s statement: “before the ANC deploys any comrade, we look at their reports and as we speak, Tlhalefi has been deployed with no element of corruption. We are aware of the allegations against Tlhalefi, but as of yet it has not been proved. We are busy with investigations and if any person within the ANC is found guilty of corruption they will be disciplined with immediate effect.
“A number of changes has been made, one being to deploy Tlhalefi to the Waterberg district, all of these changes are made to better service delivery to the community. The ANC listened to the community and responded positively. We are invited to have a meeting with the Mogalakwena Residents’ Association and we believe it is a step in the right direction.We as the ANC are against corruption”.
‘I am very happy about the ANC’s decision as they are my organisation’ – Mashamaite
Mashamaite backed by MEC of COGHSTA
