Court victory for EFF after Engcobo council job row

THE Economic Freedom Fighters have recorded a victory against the ANC majority in the Engcobo municipal council in its fight against alleged employment irregularities.

Acting Judge Justice Jolwana in his recent judgment in the Mthatha High Court has ruled in favour of the EFF, saying the municipality’s decision to renew the contracts of some of its most senior managers, including municipal manager Silumnko Mahlasela, was a “process tainted with illegality”.

The EFF took the municipality to court, questioning the legality of extending the contracts of Mahlasela, chief financial officer Mzusekho Matomane and corporate services manager Vuyiseka Mviko.

Jolwana earlier interdicted and restrained the municipality from implementing the council resolution taken on June 22.

EFF chief whip Solomzi Xuma said the judgment was a small victory for the party, which intended to root out corruption.

“The ANC, which enjoys majority, has become spoilt and imposes decisions that are not according to the law. They must be ready to be challenged through the courts.

“We know they have no problem going to court because they are using municipal funds but we are ready to challenge them,” said Xuma.

The council has appointed Lungiswa Mngomana as acting municipal manager and Sean Jordan as the acting CFO.

No one is acting in Mviko’s position.

Mayor Lizeka Tyhali had earlier said the council respected the court interdict and that it would wait for the judgment.

Reacting on the judgment yesterday, Tyhali could not confirm whether they would appeal the outcome.

She said they were consulting their legal team.

“We need to study the judgment well and get a proper interpretation of the implications. We met our legal team on Friday and in five days we expect to have a clear direction that we will take,” said Tyhali.

The development has prompted the MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta), Fikile Xasa, to send a rapid response team to the municipality.

The team will visit Engcobo today and will conduct an oversight visit, which will determine the challenges in the municipality.

Cogta spokesman Mankeli Ngam said the MEC would intervene in the Engcobo municipal matters after the report by the task team.

“The MEC is sending the rapid response team to look at the situation and advise him accordingly.

“He will be guided by the feedback from the team on the next action to be taken,” said Ngam.