A SPECIAL council meeting of the Mogalakwena town council was due to reveal some shocking findings regarding the actions of mayor Thlalifi Mashamaite, and a motion of no confidence in him and his cohorts was due to be tabled yesterday (Tuesday).
This follows a complete forensic audit into municipal finances and the subsequent report. The report, the contents of which are known to CV, was due to be discussed in the special council meeting.
Seemingly the DA was also aware of the findings of the report prior to the special council meeting, prior to the meeting, DA councillor Beyers Smit confirmed to CV that the DA intended submitting a no confidence motion in the mayor, based on the report’s findings.
Municipal spokesperson Malesela Selokela acknowledged he had already seen the report, and said it implicated some senior people in the municipality.
“But that is as far as I can talk about the report because council still has to sit on the matter today (Tuesday),” he said.
The report implicates Mashamaite in fraudulent and corrupt activities involving millions or rands of the taxpayers’ money.
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The report also makes recommendations regarding disciplinary that should be taken and criminal charges that should be laid against Mashamaite and several other section managers.
According to the report, Mashamaite and some section managers did not give their full cooperation during the investigation.
The findings of the investigation included, amongst others, tender processes not being followed, advertising not being done correctly, quotations being accepted from unregistered suppliers as well as being approved by officials not authorised to do so, transactions not having the relevant paperwork attached, and payment vouchers not being signed or approved in some instances.
Asked for comment on the findings prior to the special council meeting, Mashamaite said the findings were not the truth as he had not participated in the investigation. He ended the telephonic conversation abruptly, saying he was due to attend a meeting.
ANC Limpopo secretary, Nocks Seabi, said the ANC could not comment on the matter before seeing the report.
