Paying two CFOs full salaries ‘wasteful

Mystery continues to surround the suspension on full pay of Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality’s chief financial officer, Paul Mahlasela, while an acting CFO does his job, also on full pay.

The failure to resolve Mahlasela’s suspension was slammed as fruitless and wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money by UDM councillor Mthuthuzeli Hokolo.

Hokolo said Mahlasela had been placed on special leave last year – not March this year as had been stated – over an accusation of failing to submit reports required by the auditor general.

The length of suspension was refuted by municipal spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa, who said that though Mahlasela had not been in the office since last year, his suspension only began in March this year.

Kowa said: “The matter was tabled before council. All other details are between the employer and employee.”

Hokolo said Mahlasela was embroiled in an alleged R38m tender scandal when he was the supply chain boss at his previous job at Alfred Nzo District Municipality and that certain politicians in Enoch

Mgajima municipality allegedly owed him favours.

Mahlasela, approached for comment, told The Rep he did not know why his suspension had been extended.

He said the municipal manager, Ayakha Ntengenyane, had the answer to that.

Hokolo demanded to know why the council was paying two CFOs on full pay.

He accused the town leaders of a lack of transparency and mismanaging public funds.

“The CFO’s time away is overdue as it has extended beyond its time.

“Taxpayers’ money is being wasted in a municipality that is already struggling financially, as both the suspended CFO and the acting CFO are receiving full pay.

“This is unacceptable given that a CFO position commands a significant salary.” He said the dragging out of inhouse sagas, marked by improper procedure, was a trend in the municipality.

“In my view, the CFO may end up being suspended for a whole year because the senior politicians of Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality owe him a lot.

“This is why he has not been dismissed.

“We were ignored as opposition parties when we raised concerns regarding his alleged involvement in a R38m tender fraud when he was the supply chain manager at the Alfred Nzo municipality.”

Hokolo said concerns were again disregarded when questions were raised about a R1.9m payment that was made to a fake Microsoft account, and that the CFO be held accountable for financial authorisation.

He said: “I cannot understand how these payments were approved without the CFO’s knowledge, as he is the last person who should authorise such transactions.

“Instead, the blame was placed on junior officials who may not have had the authority or knowledge to authorise such payments.

“It seems the CFO was deliberately shielded from responsibility.

“It is known there is a senior politician who [allegedly] owes the CFO a lot.

“The people of Enoch Mgijima municipality must know that their money is going like water.

“If the CFO is not going to fall with many men who are senior politicians, he must be written a letter of dismissal now.”

DA councillor Tokkie Dysel said an acting CFO assumed the position in December.

I cannot understand how these payments were approved without the CFO ’ s knowledge, as he is the last person who should authorise such transactions. Instead, the blame was placed on junior officials who may not have had the authority or knowledge to authorise such payments. It seems the CFO was deliberately shielded from responsibility