Municipal workers in NC town back on the job

NO DECISION appears to have been taken over the future of the Phokwane municipal manager, Matshidiso Mogale, following her suspension during a special council meeting that was held in Hartswater on Sunday.

Municipal workers said they had returned to their posts yesterday after having shut down the municipal offices on Monday, demanding Mogale’s reinstatement.

The ANC Regional Executive Committee (REC) did not provide any confirmation whether Mogale had been reinstated or not at the time of going to press yesterday.

Phokwane Municipality spokesperson, Kgalalelo Letshabo, referred media enquiries to the mayor, who indicated that she was attending meetings in Kimberley.

The DA meanwhile urged the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Bentley Vass, to urgently intervene in the growing crisis at Phokwane Municipality.

DA provincial leader, Andrew Louw, stated that internal political battles had brought the municipality to a standstill.

“Service delivery has collapsed. ANC factions interfered in a council decision taken during a special meeting on Sunday, to place Mogale on suspension.

“Mogale implemented a raise in her salary without following due process or tabling her salary adjustment before council,” said Louw.

He insisted that Mogale be suspended pending an investigation.

“Mogale has on numerous occasions withheld financial information from council. Councillors still do not know what happened to the equitable share allocation of R39 million, despite having requested a detailed breakdown. Phokwane Municipality cannot honour its payments, where it owes Eskom in the region of R38 million and Vaalharts and Sedibeng Water close to R90 million.”

Louw indicated that the DA had requested the MEC for Coghsta to compel Phokwane Municipality to institute a financial recovery plan.

“Failing which, the municipality must be placed under administration. We suspect that grant money was used to bail out the municipality. This is against the law and it is questionable whether Phokwane will have money to pay its debts and salaries at the end of the month.

“Phokwane Municipality is on its knees. It is a great pity that Mogale’s first suspension by council was withdrawn following involvement from the ANC REC.”

Coghsta did not respond to media enquiries.