New Mr Fixit for ailing Vhembe municipality
Nare Ngoepe joins the Vhembe District Municipality as the acting municipal manager
LIMPOPO – The department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs in conjunction with the department of treasury has appointed a director from treasury as acting municipal manager of the Vhembe District Municipality.
This is an effort to strengthen and improve matters at the troubled municipality, one of the worst performing municipalities in the province, which has received a disclaimer audit opinion from the Auditor-General three years in succession.
The seat of municipal manager has been vacant since Ndanduleni Makhari left on 19 February after the council could not agree with her on certain issues. She was municipal manager for only one month.
Newly-appointed acting municipal manager, Nare Ngoepe, will fill his position until a permanent appointment is made.
Vhembe mayor, Tshitereke Matibe, said they hoped Ngoepe will bring stability, and improve financial management and governance.
Ngoepe holds several qualifications including a BCom (Honours) Accounting from the University of Limpopo. He has worked as an internal auditor in the office of the premier and was seconded to the Mopani District Municipality in 2015 to resolve challenges, which included financial management issues such as cash flow management, as well as stakeholder relations and other critical matters.
“Now, that I am at the helm of the Vhembe District Municipality, my plans include filling of the vacancies, especially key positions such as chief financial officer and municipal manager.
“I promise to relieve lazy municipal officers who are not ready to deliver better services to the people from their duties,” Ngoepe said.
Matibe pledged to give Ngoepe all his support. “In return we expect a lot from him,” he added.
