HIGHVELD – Opposition parties believe that the suspension of the Govan Mbeki municipal manager, Mr Felani Mndebele, is a political move and has nothing to do with administrative matters of the municipality.
The Democratic Alliance rejected the executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality, Thandi Ngxonono’s motion to suspend Mr Mndebele.
The party maintains that the suspension of the MM is an effort of the executive mayor to interfere with administrative matters of the municipality. They believe this tactic was simply to avoid taking responsibility for the dire situation in which the municipality is.
Ms Ciska Jordaan, DA caucus leader, said the DA is disturbed that the council allowed and supported the recommendations of Ms Ngxonono, while she is being implicated in Mr Mndebele’s response to council.
“In the response she is accused of serious political interference and in fact, high level corruption according to Section 119 of the Municipal Systems Act which is grounds for a criminal offense.
“This shows that the ANC incessantly pushes through any item that their leadership tells them to, without any regard for its implications.
“Now that the ANC executive mayor has been slapped on the wrist for the late submission of the AFS and a total disregard for the delivery of services to the people of Govan Mbeki Municipality, it is clear that she would throw anyone under the bus in order to save herself from facing the music for her own failures.
“This municipality is in dire need of a total change that can only be brought about by a change in its leadership. The Democratic Alliance has a proven track record of producing continuous clean audits, and delivering quality services.”
The Freedom Front Plus believes that the Mr Mndebele was trying his best to do his job, but was disturbed by the political interference.
“What the MM said on his response is concerning and we are wondering why the executive mayor did not play her role of overseer.
“But we know that the minute one goes, another one will follow,” said Ms Aranda Nel-Buitendag.
Mr Thabiso Mofokeng of the Economic Freedom Fighters said this reflects the arrogance of the ANC.
He said they are getting rid of the MM because he was allegedly refusing to approve some of the things they were imposing.
Also read: Suspended MM blames Govan Mbeki executive mayor for interfering in his duties
“The ANC is using Council to fight their internal battles.
“A group of those in the faction of the mayor are protected.
“We reject this and hope the MM can take them to court.”
Mr Mofokeng hopes the ANC leaders will not corrupt the acting municipal manager, Ms Lizzy Tshabala, and that she won’t sign anything “dodgy”.
The Sakhisizwe Progressive Movement (Sapromo) said it is disappointed about the council decision to suspend the MM without following proper channels or relevant legislation.
Mr Sibusiso Hlolweni, leader of Sapromo, said he tried to advise the council on municipal performance management regulations, which states that there must be a performance evaluation committee.
“The committee monitors the performance of the MM, and then reports on the key performance indicators, which we believe should be brought forward to the council to take a decision.
“In this case, we don’t have the key performance indicators and we do not know exactly where the MM went wrong.
“We are also worried about the rumours that the MM is pushed aside because he refused to sign a certain contract that is attached to certain politicians.
“Although we were initially in favour of the MM’s suspension, we wanted things done procedural and in good faith.
“We suspect that this move will have the electricity vending contract signed immediately in order to benefit those politicians.”
The newspaper tried to contact the ANC but the party did not comment at time of going to press.
