HIGHVELD – The acting municipal manager, Mr Thisha Mhlanga, was in hot water on Thursday, 3 May when angry residents expressed their frustrations with him during the Taking the Legislature to the People event at the Lillian Ngoyi Centre.
Disgruntled locals told Members of the Provincial Legislature that they are fed up with Mr Mhlanga and that they want him to leave the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
They said he was brought in to solve problems, but that he has become one of the biggest problems in the municipality.
Residents accused him of bringing more disrepute and instability, and that he is biased and has forgotten his mandate.
“Mr Mhlanga is now part of the ANC factions and that is why he does not perform as expected,” said a resident.
Some residents also accused Mr Mhlanga of corruption and said his favourite service providers are always paid on time, but that others have to wait a long time for payment.
This was not the first time that Mr Mhlanga had been criticised and put under pressure.
He was allegedly assaulted and instructed to leave his office by members of a controversial business forum in January.
A case of assault was opened and Mr Mhlanga said he would not be intimidated and that he would continue to do his job.
He said he was doing everything by the book.
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A month later an anonymous letter that claimed that Govan Mbeki Municipality was “up for sale and its employees are insulted”, was shoved under the door of the municipal offices.
The unknown author was accusing Mr Mhlanga of mal-administration, nepotism and dictatorship.
The letter stated that the secondment of Mr Mhlanga was questionable and undermined local, talented and experienced people.
He was accused of employing a secretary from Newcastle and of being arrogant and taking ill-informed decisions.
Mr Bheki Kubheka, manager in the office of the municipal manager, was contacted for comment. He said Ms Thandi Ngxonono, executive mayor, will issue a statement regarding the matter.
