Memani replaced by Links at Bitou
PLETTENBERG BAY - Suspended Bitou Municipal Manager Mbulelo Memani, who was hired during the previous DA-controlled coalition, has been replaced by Dr Ralph Links who has been appointed as Acting Municipal Manager.
Links is seconded from the Central Karoo District Municipality in Beaufort West where he is director of corporate and strategic services.
In a statement, Bitou Municipality says Links is no stranger to the municipality, "having previously served as the LED and IDP manager in 2002 - and later as the head of strategic management and planning".
Approached for comment regarding Memani's suspension, the Bitou communications department said, "Mr Memani has been placed on a precautionary suspension and there is an investigation into allegations of misconduct".
Memani had not responded to a message from KPH at the time of going to print.
Not everyone is happy with Links' appointment. In a letter to the new Bitou mayor, Claude Terblanche, the Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association said it was under an obligation to tell members when an appointment was "unsuitable", or when it it referred to someone "implicated in fraudulent activities".
"We have been advised that Mr Links left [Bitou] Municipality's employ hurriedly and under a cloud. We have done our due diligence and fact-check, and obtained the attached documentation [a municipal charge sheet and letter about a lease of a Central Beach property owned by the municipality] of which I believe you should be aware.”
Steve Pattinson of the Plett Ratepayers’ Association said it is "of significant concern that we note that Ralph Links has been seconded to Bitou as Acting Municipal Manager".
In October 2011 Links was informed about a disciplinary hearing involving three charges, including corruption, fraud
and unlawfully and illegally approved building plans and other applications. Links, at the time, elected not to comment to KPH on the accusations. The case number supplied by then DA councillor, Johann Brummer, was 239/3/2011. Another appointment by Bitou Municipality in the past two weeks is the new acting head of strategic services, Manqoba Boy Ngubo, who was previously municipal manager of Theewaterskloof. He left the position in Theewaterskloof after only five months.
Bitou Municipality's statement announcing Links' appointment said, "His extensive background includes valuable experience at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) where he focused on planning, capital project funding and revenue enhancement.
"His diverse professional journey and leadership roles have equipped him with a deep understanding of municipal governance strategic planning and community development.
"Further Dr Links holds a PhD in public administration from Nelson Mandela University underscoring his commitment to excellence in public service and municipal management.
"As acting municipal manager, Dr Links is dedicated to rolling out essential services to the community, fostering strong relationships with businesses and collaborating with stakeholders to create job opportunities.
"He is steadfast in maintaining Bitou Municipality’s audit status and ensuring accountability and transparency in all municipal operations."