The Democratic Alliance (DA) led a walk-out of all opposition councillors in Sol Plaatje after a three-hour deadlock over convicted fraudster and former acting municipal manager, Busisiwe Mgaguli, unlawfully occupying the Municipal Manager’s seat.
This occurred despite a Kimberley High Court ruling that set aside the unlawful suspension of the rightful MM, Thapelo Matlala, and ordered his immediate return to work. Mgaguli’s contract extension expired in December and is therefore null and void. In addition, Matlala’s name, not Mgaguli’s, appeared on the official Council agenda.
The ANC’s claim that an appeal justifies Mgaguli’s continued occupation of the MM post is baseless. Council has seen no documentation and no appeal has been granted to date. There is also no transparency around who is appealing or why. Kimberley taxpayers cannot be expected to carry the costs of this ongoing and unlawful power struggle, while service delivery continues to collapse.
Council could not adopt its agenda yesterday. The Auditor-General was also prevented from tabling the 2024/2025 audit report, with serious consequences for municipal governance.
The ANC continues to circumvent Council, in clear violation of due process. The DA will not participate in growing lawlessness within Sol Plaatje. Following the Speaker’s refusal to allow Council to vote on the matter of the MM, despite two clearly dissenting views, the DA and all opposition councillors walked out. This left Council without a quorum.
We will continue to oppose wrongdoing, defend the rule of law, and insist that the rightful Municipal Manager takes office, with full accountability enforced at every level.