HIGHVELD – The absence of the new municipal manager, Mr Zwelihle Shongwe, previously the municipal manager of the Msukaligwa Local Municipality, have raised eyebrows.
Mr Shongwe apparently never pitched up for work since his appointment in March.
The public claimed they suspect he has been put on special leave after the authorities realised that the decision to swap him with Mr Mmela Mahlangu was a wrong move.
However, Ms Lindi Masina, executive mayor, disputed this and said Mr Shongwe is still the municipal manager of the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
She said he is currently on leave and has appointed Mr King Sihlali to act in his position.
“The allegations by the concerned public are not true.
“Mr Shongwe is on study leave and will return to work on 13 May.
“We did not get any communication from the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) that she is withdrawing her decision of swapping the two municipal managers.”
The Ridge Times learnt that Mr Mahlangu, who is now the municipal manager of Msukaligwa Local Municipality, is not at work and that Mr Daniel Maluleka is acting in his position.
Mr George Mthethwa, spokesman for Cogta, said the decision that was taken to swap the two municipal managers was final and that nothing has changed.
He said the taking of leave of the two municipal managers might be a coincidence.
“It is most likely that the municipal managers will appoint someone to act in their place while they are away.”
Some residents were not happy with the decision of the MEC to swap the managers and blamed it on Ms Masina.
Those who did not approve of the decision, embarked on a protest and some wrote open letters and criticised Ms Masina.
Mr Shongwe’s first day at the council meeting was tense, as disgruntled residents wearing ANC T shirts, disrupted the meeting saying they did not want him.
They claimed that Mr Shongwe has failed at the two previous municipalities he had worked for.
However Cogta disputed that the swapping was politically influenced and said it was part of the province’s decision to develop the lacking municipalities.
