Games on for Sol officials

REGARDLESS of a council decision that was taken not to pay the costs for Sol Plaatje municipal employees to participate in the annual municipal games in Durban this week, a group of officials will be attending the event after they were allowed to cash in their leave pay.

The last-minute decision to travel to Durban has left the teams that are expected to compete in netball, soccer, volleyball, pool, darts, table tennis, tennis, tug-of-war and cricket matches no time whatsoever to prepare and train, if they are to defend any trophies.

It is believed that on Friday the acting chief financial officer authorised the cashing in of leave days for 96 officials, where the cash received ranged from between R7 000 to R10 000 per official, and would be used by them towards paying for their own expenses.

Municipal officials who will not be participating or attending the inter-municipal games stated that they were not permitted to cash in any leave, as a moratorium was placed on the sale of all leave.

Council agreed in August that it was not in the financial interests of the municipality to attend the games. It would have cost the municipality R1.4 million to fund the accommodation, travel, meals, uniforms and subsistence costs.

Councillors indicated that the decision to reverse the executive mayor’s announcement that the municipality would not be participating in the games was never brought before council for discussion.

Councillors who supported participating in the games had pointed out that the annual event served to boost their morale. They explained that the decision not to take part had created animosity as they felt the decision was taken without consultation.

Municipal spokesperson Sello Matsie stated that according to the acting CFO, Kenneth Samolapo, the decision was “properly authorised”.