Mokgalakwena mayor suspended

COOPERATIVE governance, human settlements, and traditional affairs (Coghsta) MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe is expected to take disciplinary action against all the Mogalakwena municipal councillors who were implicated by the KPMG forensic investigation report, as required by the Municipal Systems Act and Municipal Finance Management Act.

This follows after a special council meeting last Tuesday during which council called for the suspension of all councillors implicated in the report.

The meeting, which was attended by 32 councillors, resolved that would be done with immediate effect.

The councillors implicated in the KPMG report are Tlhalefi Mashamaite (mayor), Samuel Montane (technical services chairperson), Malose Tlhaku (special projects chairperson), Victor Mashamaite (corporate services chairperson), and David Langa (chief whip).

The council further resolved that they should be suspended with salaries from February and all municipal property in their possession such as laptops, cellphones, and vehicles should be returned to the municipality. It was decided that all the money misused should be recovered from them.

Community services manager, Merriam Molala and manager in the office of the mayor, Asnath Mabusela, will be facing a a disciplinary hearing. These actions follow after the mayor’s discretionary fund was largely depleted in a period of three months after municipal manager Willy Kekana was forced to take leave.

According to the KPMG report the Supply Chain Management Policy was contravened on numerous occasions.

To date there are service providers who have still not been paid.

Municipal spokesperson Malesela Selokela said the matter was now under Coghsta’s control. He also confirmed that letters had been sent to Kgetjepe, as well as the treasury department and premier Stanley Mathabatha.