Row over ‘suspended’ municipal manager

PHOKWANE municipal workers indicated that they are being victimised for protecting the municipal manager, Matshidiso Mogale, while an acting municipal manager was apparently appointed to replace her during a secret council meeting that was held last week.

The municipal offices in Hartswater have been shut down since October 11, the same day that an acting municipal manager should have been appointed, but the council meeting did not take place.

Mogale was issued with a suspension letter on October 9.

A community member, Moeketsi Ntema, said yesterday that the municipality was in the process of obtaining an interdict to prevent workers from shutting down the municipal buildings.

“All the workers are behind Mogale because she is ensuring that there is service delivery and she is fighting corruption at Phokwane Municipality.

“The acting municipal manager, Zithulele Nikani, was illegally appointed during a meeting attended by a few ANC councillors who conspired with opposition councillors from the EFF and DA and a tenderpreneur.

“The meeting took place at night. It was not properly constituted and did not take place in the council chambers.”

Both the DA and EFF have called for Mogale to be suspended.

Ntema added that workers would continue to keep the municipality shut until their demands were met and Mogale was reinstated.

“Workers are only trying to protect the municipality from looting. The ANC must come and intervene.” Residents indicated that three people were hospitalised after they were shot with rubber bullets on Thursday while they were trying to force their way into the municipal building.

“The mayor and Speaker must be fired for refusing to comply with instructions to meet the ANC Provincial Executive Committee in Kimberley last week.”

Community members stated that another three suspects were called in for questioning by the police after it was believed that they were transporting pangas, knives and sjamboks in a vehicle in order to go and disrupt the council meeting on October 11.

“The suspects were released after the police searched the vehicle and could not find anything. We are holding the ANC regional secretary, Webster Dichaba, accountable for saying that Mogale will not be suspended.”

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Dimakatso Mooi, said a case of public violence was opened, although no arrests had been made.

“No injuries were reported to the police. Investigations continue,” added Mooi.

ANC regional spokesperson, Sedukanelo Tshepo Louw, said they were dealing with the matter internally, with a sense of urgency.

“Workers must resume their duties in the interests of service delivery.”

He added that they were seeking legal advice to determine if procedures were followed when the municipal manager was suspended.

ANC provincial spokesperson, Naledi Gaosekwe, said that they were also dealing with the matter, in order to restore stability at the municipality.

Phokwane Municipality did not respond to media enquiries.