Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Gerhard Strydom
The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with grave concern Tuesday’s decision by an ANC-aligned faction in the City of Matlosana to appoint the current Director of Infrastructure, Mr Nelson Mogale, as Acting Municipal Manager.
This appointment raises serious concerns, particularly in light of reports that Mr Mogale received a six-month performance rating of approximately 36%, reportedly the lowest among directors. If accurate, this raises a critical question: if he is unable to effectively manage the Infrastructure Department, how will he be expected to manage the entire municipality?
The situation is further compounded by the reported loss of R962,000 from the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant (NDPG), allegedly linked to delays in appointing a service provider for the Jouberton Youth Development Centre, a matter that falls within the Infrastructure Department’s scope of responsibility.
At a time when Matlosana is already grappling with severe infrastructure backlogs, service delivery failures, and financial distress, this decision risks deepening administrative instability and weakening governance.
The DA further maintains that the suspension of the Municipal Manager was irregular and, in our view, unlawful. This latest appointment together with the recent termination of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), raises concerns about whether there may be a broader agenda at play, potentially linked to ongoing developments surrounding the CFO position.
Residents of Matlosana deserve stable, ethical, and competent leadership, not decisions that create uncertainty and erode public trust in the administration.
The DA will closely monitor all developments related to this matter. Any undue interference in legal or disciplinary processes, particularly in relation to the CFO matter, will be met with decisive action, including the laying of criminal charges where warranted.
The DA remains committed to ensuring accountability and restoring good governance in the City of Matlosana.