SASOLBURG – The Fezile Dabi District Municipality has dived into another controversial scandal after its Municipal Manager, Sipho Thomas, was placed on precautionary suspension.

The move comes after allegations emerged that Thomas ignored a council ban on advertising new job vacancies.

The municipality had previously introduced a moratorium on hiring to control a ballooning salary bill and manage a deepening financial crisis.

Under these rules, all positions were required to undergo a formal job evaluation and receive council approval before being advertised. However, according to reports tabled before the council, the process was allegedly ignored, costing the cash-strapped municipality thousands of rands.

The municipality is already battling limited revenue streams and has been searching for alternative ways to boost income while trying to keep service delivery afloat.

This development follows earlier warnings from the DA regarding a hiring scandal, which the municipality originally dismissed as misleading.

Now, spokesperson Tebello Lengoabala-Serunye has confirmed the suspension to Ster, stating that the matter is part of an internal disciplinary process.

She noted that while the municipality remains committed to fairness and accountability, no further details can be shared at this stage as the case is sub judice.

“The municipality remains committed to ensuring that due process is followed and that the matter is handled within the confines of the law,” Lengoabala-Serunye said.

Meanwhile, DA Chief Whip Stone Makhema slammed the alleged unauthorised advertising of vacancies, arguing that the wasted funds should have been used to improve service delivery for residents.

Makhema confirmed that the party will closely monitor the legal proceedings to ensure the rule of law is upheld for the people of Fezile Dabi.