Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and Sesotho by Freddy Sonakile MPL.
The DA demands answers from COGHSTA MEC, Lenah Miga, over the secondments of compromised Acting Municipal Managers to failing and collapsed North West municipalities. These secondments appear to be a deliberate attempt at recycling poor performing individuals, redeploying them from one disaster of a municipality to create another.
MEC Miga irregularly appointed Mr France Temeki Mabokela to serve as the Acting Municipal Manager in the Rustenburg Local Municipality from 07 November, while he was still in service of the Ramotshere-Moiloa Local Municipality. See letter here.
Meanwhile, while Mr Mabokela was appointed at two municipalities at the same time, the Ramotshere-Moiloa Council took a decision on 8 November to immediately terminate his contract. See Council Agenda here.
Realising her mistake, MEC Miga, quickly informed the Rustenburg Mayor that Mr Mabokela, will only take up his position on 09 November 2022, the day after his contract was terminated in Ramotshere-Moiloa. See letter here.
The irregularity of Mr Mabokela’s double appointment aside, Provincial Treasury issued notice to the Ramotshere-Moiloa Local Municipality that he should be investigated for various allegations of financial misconduct. See letter here.
This latest disaster at the hands of MEC Miga follows irregular appointments of Acting Municipal Managers in Maquassi-Hills and in Madibeng Local Municipalities.
In Maquassi-Hills, MEC Miga appointed Ms Nokuthula Karelse as the Acting Municipal Manager, despite her suspension during her time as the Municipal Manager to the Capricorn District Municipality in Limpopo pending an investigation of misconduct against her. Thankfully, Ms Karelse later resigned. While there are questions over the appointment of Ms Beverly Gungqisa in Madibeng.
MEC Miga has not been able to explain the nature of these appointments despite questions to that effect.
The DA views these acting appointments with suspicion and believe there is something sinister at play. MEC Miga is appointing individuals to acting positions even though they are implicated in serious allegations of misconduct, fraud and corruption, never mind the trail of destruction they have left in their wake hopping from one municipality to another.
The DA calls MEC Miga to explain the rationale behind these appointments and secondments to municipalities. If she is found to be acting in an unethical manner with these appointments, it will be in contravention with the Municipal Systems and Structures Acts and we will not hesitate to take action against her.