The Sol Plaatje council has failed to take the damning allegations levelled against the Municipal Manager, Thapelo Matlala, seriously and is playing to the gallery instead of ensuring firm action against corruption.
This comes after only a written submission by Matlala served before yesterday’s council meeting despite a previous resolution that an investigator must be urgently appointed to investigate the matter that relates to the irregular awarding of contracts and staff appointments.
The lack of an investigation has thwarted the disciplinary process, as there was no evidence other than hearsay allegations and media speculation available with which to evaluate the accuracy and merits of the version of events submitted by the MM.
The DA alerted Council to the dilemma. We also requested available evidence that may be utilised to evaluate the submissions of the MM and establish whether sufficient proof exists to satisfy the requirements for precautionary suspension. Nothing was forthcoming, not even a long outstanding MPAC report.
It is essential that rash decisions do not derail investigations and disciplinary procedures.
The DA previously warned that emotional decision making previously led to a situation whereby the hastily suspended former MM, Goolam Akharwary, and former CFO, Lydia Mahloko, continued to earn their full salaries for years, without ever being officially disciplined or charged. This led to Sol Plaatje municipality bleeding millions of rands on duplicate salaries, for acting and suspended officials.
While we should ensure that a repeat of this situation is avoided at all costs, Council proceeded with a resolution to suspend the MM based on possible impropriety, despite the shortcomings of due process. In order not to prejudice the process of consequence management, the DA abstained from voting and requested that our position be noted.
We note that a resolution to appoint an investigator was passed anew and are concerned that this may be a case of too little, too late.
The DA will monitor the process closely and continue advising Council about best practices to follow and identifying risks and pitfalls to ensure the integrity of consequence management.
Corruption must be sustainably eradicated from Sol Plaatje municipality and ratepayers must be protected against financial mismanagement, corruption and abuse of process.