The Democratic Alliance (DA) will refer serious suspicions regarding an orchestrated attempt to capture Sol Plaatje municipality ahead of the Local Government Elections, to parliament.
This comes as the ANC not only continues with its efforts to replace Municipal Manager, Thapelo Matlala, with convicted fraudster, Busisiwe Mgaguli, but is also attempting to purge the municipality of senior managers who are not sympathetic to their cause.
It became clear at last week’s Special Council Meeting that the ANC is grasping at straws. It is questionable that the mayor was in possession of an already prepared letter to extend Matlala’s suspension, before council even deliberated on the report. The report, presented by the legal team from the Office of the Premier, indicated inconclusive investigation results. This includes that the investigative team cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of information obtained from internal and external sources. Certain allegations could also not be fully investigated due to time constraints. Despite these limitations, the ANC bulldozed through the vote.
The DA did not support the extension due to lack of evidence and opposed the distribution of the pre-drafted letter. While we cannot rule out that Matlala has not made himself guilty of anything, there is currently nothing concrete with which to charge Matlala.
Matlala does not appear to be the only one who is being targeted by certain people, for removal.
The latest senior manager to come under fire is the recently appointed Chief Financial Officer. It came to light in last week’s meeting that she is to be redeployed within Sol Plaatje because of technicalities relating to her overdue appointment, which was no fault of her own but that of the municipal administration. This matter was already taken under judicial review, after an unsuccessful candidate for the position contested her appointment and lost. It is therefore ludicrous that the CFO, who has so far not displayed any tendencies of non-compliance towards financial laws and regulations, must be disciplined, to make way for another cadre.
The DA supports consequence management and disciplinary actions in response to validated incidents of misconduct. We question the municipality’s selective defiance of regulated processes and its attempts to shift ANC loyalists into positions of power.
The DA will refer our concerns to our counterparts in parliament to address with the portfolio committee of COGTA, to urgently take up with the national minister.
Through revelations made in the Zondo and ongoing Madlanga Commissions, it is evident how easily state institutions have been captured and looted. We must not allow the same story to unfold in Sol Plaatje.