Sakhile residents and a community-based organisation named the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) have raised their concerns regarding the Rooikoppen taxi rank.
They alleged the Lekwa Municipality spent R10-million upgrading it and sold it for R100 000.
According to Mr Linda Tshabalala, municipal manager, the council decided to sell the land next to the taxi rank.
“Mr Yandisa Marongo, suspended senior legal manager and Mr Orapeleng Dipone, acting municipal manager at the time, signed off the processing of the sale,” Mr Tshabalala said.
He also said they later realised that the sale included the taxi rank and included an addendum that states the developer will transfer the taxi rank back to the municipality.
All of this was apparently done without the knowledge of the council.
Mr Tshabalala was approached to sign the transfer of the taxi rank, refused and later discovered his signature was allegedly forged.
“This is one of the reasons why Mr Marongo was suspended,” Mr Tshabalala also said.
Mr Tshabalala confirmed that the land was sold for R100 000 and the taxi rank developed for R10-million.
Mr Linda Dhlamini, speaker, confirmed that Mr Marongo is currently attending a disciplinary hearing and his first appearance was in June.
According to Mr Marongo he was asked to draft a contract as the senior legal manager.
“The contract was then signed by the then acting municipal manager, Mr Dipone, the buyer and I signed as a witness,” Mr Marongo said.
They later realised the land was not subdivided and the sale was inclusive of the taxi rank.
Mr Marongo, Mr Dipone and the attorneys decided to add an addendum that states the taxi rank will be transferred back to the municipality.
“I was not suspended because of what happened with the taxi rank, it was because I confronted Mr Tshabalala about Mr Sipho Mkwanazi’s employment,” he said.
He denied forging Mr Tshabalala’s signature.
Mr Marongo alleged that Mr Mkwanazi is not qualified for his current position.