‘Recall Mogalakwena administrator’ – DA

THE DA in Limpopo has called on public services and administration minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, to intervene in the matter of the administration of Mogalakwena Municipality.

According to DA Limpopo leader, Jacques Smalle, Dikgape Makobe, the administrator appointed by the department of cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs (Coghsta) to put the municipality’s house in order, should be recalled with immediate effect and a competent and qualified person should be appointed.

Smalle said Makobe, who was a former municipal manager of the same municipality, had a bad managerial record and would not solve the municipality’s problems.

“The DA welcomes the interventions made by Coghsta, but appointing an administrator who has a bad managerial record will not solve the problems. Under Makobe’s tenure as the municipal manager of Mogalakwena between 2001 and 2008, the municipality received poor opinions from the Auditor-General. He (Makobe) was also accused of corruption after failing to account for more than R1 million,” Smalle alleged.

Smalle further said Makobe previously worked for the Madibeng Municipality in the North West and this municipality was also put under administration after it became dysfunctional and failed to fulfil its legislative obligations.

“Makobe was one of the people blamed for this,” he said.

Smalle alleged that Makobe’s appointment as administrator of the Mogalakwena Municipality reeked of cadre deployment.

Coghsta spokesperson, Selomo Motupa said the allegations made by the DA were unfounded. He said Makobe was on duty at the municipality. “The department believes that Makobe will build up the municipality,” he concluded.