THE department of cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs (Coghsta) was ordered to pay legal costs amounting to R1,2 million after the Northern Gauteng high court dismissed the department’s urgent application for an interdict against the appointment of Willie Kekana as municipal manager, Mokopane Letsoalo as planning and development services manager and Malope Tshesane as chief financial officer of the Mogalakwena Municipality last Tuesday.
Municipal spokesperson, Malesela Selokela confirmed the outcome of the application and added that, in June, the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in Limpopo went to the Labour court to challenge these appointments and had lost with costs too.
“So far Coghsta has lost three cases, one against the Mogalakwena Residents Association (MRA) to put the municipality under administration in March and two cases against the municipality.
“Millions of rands, which could have been used to provide services to the communities, have been wasted.
“The provincial government just came out of administration and the leadership should focus on keeping their feet on the ground and leave Mogalakwena Municipality alone where operations run smoothly.”
The MRA welcomed the ruling.
MRA spokesperson, Thintha Mokhonoana said the association had a lot of inside knowledge about this case that the public did not know about.
“The MRA once again calls on the premier and his executive committee to focus on what they were elected to do,” he said.
“The people of Mogalakwena will soon be on the premier’s doorstep to demonstrate the unity and cohesion of our people against criminals and corrupt elements in both government and society,” Mokhonoana said.
Coghsta spokesperson, Motupa Selomo confirmed the court’s decision, but said the saga was far from over.
He said the high court advised the department to follow “normal court procedures”, instead of applying to the high court for an urgent interdict.
“Now we will follow the normal procedures and still go back to court to argue these appointments that we feel are illegal,” he said.
