The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape has tabled a motion of no confidence (MONC) in the Executive Mayor of ZF Mgcawu (ZFM) district municipality, Councillor Maureen Basson.
This comes after the District Mayor ignored a written directive from the MEC of CoGHSTA, Bentley Vass, issued in May this year.
She also withheld the contents of the letter from council for seven months, until news of it broke on social media, and she could hide it no more.
According to the letter, the MEC alerted Mayor Basson to irregularities in the appointment process of the acting municipal manager, Alfred Tieties.
The MEC’s letter was received shortly after the unlawful appointment of Tieties on 30 April 2024, but the Mayor has failed to act on it.
MEC Vass pointed out to Mayor Basson that Tieties was not in possession of the required qualifications to act in this position and despite this direction from the MEC, Basson allowed Tietie’s contract to be extended after every three months.
The MEC has also highlighted that the irregularities raised in his letter were discussed with the Executive Mayor on several occasions.
By ignoring the MEC’s directive, Basson has showed complete disregard for the law and Local Government: Regulations.
Mayor Basson has contravened her oath to uphold the laws of the Republic and has also violated the Code of Conduct for Councillors, by withholding the information from council.
By keeping council in the dark, she has involved council in her wrongdoing, obtaining tacit approval of the ongoing and unlawful acting appointment of Tieties.
Her actions have serious repercussions for the municipality, including the incurrence of fruitless and wasteful expenditure due to remuneration of an official that was unlawfully appointed.
Her actions will also affect the District Municipality’s audit outcomes, ruining the municipality’s clean audit track record.
Basson must be held accountable for her actions and be held personally liable for the loss of revenue. The DA will take further action to ensure she is held personally responsible for the wasted monies.
The tabling of the MONC on Friday, should determine a clear path of renewal for ZFM through the rejection of lawlessness and dishonest leadership, by the removal of Basson.