SEDIBENG. – The suspension of Lucky Leseane, the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Municipal Manager was officially reversed by the Labour Court on Tuesday.
He was ordered back to work today, Wednesday.
Leseane had been suspended by the ELM Council after he issued a memo about an annual salary increase to ELM employees without the Council’s approval earlier this year.
Later the ELM Executive Mayor, Gift Moerane reversed the decision only for ELM Speaker, Maipato Tsokolibane to insist that the suspension was still in place as Leseane was marched out of a Council meeting recently.
The ELM said, on Tuesday, that it believes that the decision of the Court will contribute to the stability of the municipality and propel the municipality to focus on its task to deliver effective and efficient services to its residents amidst the many challenges engulfing the municipality, its administration and the residents of Emfuleni.
Further adding that the absence of a permanent accountable officer within the municipality leads to systemic breakdown of discipline displayed in relation to financial controls.
“I want to urge my fellow Councillors not to view this Court Order as a victory to individuals, but rather our constitutional democracy. I call upon all of us to focus our energies to delivering services to the people of Emfuleni. Let us support the Municipal Manager, whose contractual obligation will benefit the Institutional stability.” said ELM Executive Mayor, Gift Moerane.
