Sol defends mayor’s ‘mini Nkandla’

THE MUNICIPALITY has defended the hundreds of thousands of rands spent on “bells and whistles” to beautify Sol Plaatje executive mayor Mangaliso Matika’s private residence in Henry Schmidt Street.

The municipality stated that these were part of the perks that the mayor was entitled too, along with security that was beefed up, due to increasing threats to his safety.

DA councillor Phillip Vorster yesterday said that they would request the Public Protector to investigate Matika’s “mini Nkandla”.

“The private rental agreement that was facilitated through the municipality, was not approved by council.

“Council voted against a proposal that was presented by the South African Local Government Association (Salga) in 2014, to make provision for official accommodation for the mayor.

“As a result, ratepayers have been coughing up approximately R14 000 a month, for the better part of the year, for the rental costs of Matika’s private residence.”

He added that Matika’s lavish decorations were to a large extent, being funded by taxpayers’ hard earned money.

“The DA has evidence of the purchases made by Sol Plaatje municipality for Matika’s house. These include a R26 000 Samsung television, curtains to the value of R52 000, a R15 000 hi-fi sound system, kitchenware worth R44 000 and crystal ware to the value of R26 000.”

Vorster stated that Sol Plaatje municipality had also split the payments, in order to “bring down the individual purchase costs”.

“This was done to skirt around supply chain management processes. The mayor has placed his own comfort above the basic needs of thousands of residents.”

He indicated that this laid the basis to call for a motion of no confidence in the mayor.

“The DA believes the mayor is not fit to remain in office. The office of the Public Protector must launch an investigation into the blatant corruption that is taking place under our noses.”

Manager in the office of the executive mayor. George Mosimane stated that additional security had to be installed at the mayor’s residence due to security concerns.

“A security assessment was conducted at the mayor’s house after Intelligence informed us about threats that were initiated around the time of the Colesburg ANC elective conference in May.

“Everything has been done in accordance with the mayoral handbook that affords the mayor and any councillor, whose safety is compromised, to be safeguarded.”

He pointed out that they were taking preventative measures to ensure the safety of the mayor

“The ANC national elective conference is coming up and the mayor is a political figurehead. We cannot rule out the possibility of the threats increasing, nor can we wait until something happens before we take action.”

Matika was recently appointed as the ANC Frances Baard regional chairperson.

Mosimane stated that the police conducted regular patrols around the mayor’s property.

He said that due to security reasons, they were unable to divulge exactly what security features had been installed at Matika’s house.

“”There is nothing irregular or illegal. I find it very disingenuous and opportunistic for the DA to choose the platform to raise a matter that could have been directed internally through the various committees. No issues were raised since the mayor took up residence.

“We are not prepared to engage in a public spat with the DA. It is regrettable that they have chosen to grandstand instead of utilising the internal platforms.”

Mosimane pointed out that the furnishings and contents that were purchased, was council property.

“Once the mayor leaves the house, he cannot take the items with him. The municipality owns various properties that it furnishes and equips in terms of the handbook.”

He indicated that Matika was not the first mayor to have been provided with security upgrades.

“The home of the previous mayor David Molusi was renovated at council’s expense and there was never an outcry.”

Mosimane added that additional security had been provided at the residences of former executive mayors at Sol Plaatje Municipality dating back to Patrick Lenyibi, Patrick Everyday, Agnes Nthlangula and David Molusi.

“As Matika is occupying a rental home, we did not go overboard. At the former mayor’s houses, electric wire fences and closed circuit television (CCTV) systems were erected and installed.

“Matika bought his own CCTV system and we linked one of the cameras to a dedicated armed response company.”