Mahikeng compounds its mess
The ailing town that wasted R2-billion appoints a municipal manager rated ‘basic’, the lowest level
Despite more than R2-billion in unauthorised and irregular expenditure, crumbling infrastructure and poor service delivery, the Mahikeng local municipality appointed a municipal manager who did not meet basic criteria for the post.
Three sources in the municipality alleged that laws and regulations governing municipalities were allegedly flouted when Mike Mokgwamme was appointed on a two-year contract in June last year.
The sources also alleged that Mokgwamme illegally acted as Mahikeng’s municipal manager for more than the three months prescribed by section 54 of the Municipal Systems Act.
Part of the R2-billion unauthorised and irregular expenditure was incurred during Mokgwamme’s acting tenure. His CV states that he served as acting municipal manager from June 2019 until June 2020, when he was appointed permanently.
The sources showed the Mail & Guardian official council documents and a competency assessment test, which points to Mokgwamme not meeting the minimum requirements to be in senior managerial post.
Two of the three candidates shortlisted scored higher than Mokgwamme and were rated competent, but were not considered by the panel tasked with recruiting.
Mokgwamme was rated by an independent assessor as “basic”, the lowest grade.
The municipal regulations on minimum competency levels, which are part of the Municipal Systems Act, state that senior managers should at least be rated “competent” in four areas — financial and supply chain management and core managerial and occupational competencies.
According to a Government Gazette explaining the use of competency tests: “[Individuals] falling within the basic range are deemed unsuitable for the role of senior manager, and caution should be applied in promoting such persons.”
The panel, chaired by mayor Betty Diakanyo, acknowledged that Mokgwamme was the least qualified candidate.
But, according to a council document: “The panel concluded that even though Mr Mokgwamme scored basic in the competency assessment, he should be given a chance because he has experience in municipal administration, and also that he has the ability to manage [the] union in the municipality [that] is likely to cause instability.”
The document was signed by Diakanyo and Letlotlo Letlape, the municipality’s former administrator.
Letlape said Mokgwamme’s appointment went through the council process. “The term of office of the current council has not ended, and your questions on the appointment of the municipal manager can be duly forwarded to them.”
Diakanyo referred all questions to the municipality’s spokesperson, Johnny Nkoane, who echoed Letlape regarding Mokgwamme’s appointment being processed through Mahikeng’s council.
When asked for comment, Mokgwamme also referred the M&G to Nkoane.
“The panel recommended three appointable candidates to the council for appointment. It was the council’s discretion and decision after deliberations to appoint a municipal manager,” Nkoane said. “Council deliberated on the report of the panel as a whole, not on a particular issue in the report, and after deliberation and consideration, it appointed the municipal manager.”
Charles Matlou, spokesperson for North West cooperative governance MEC Mmoloki Cwaile, said Mokgwamme’s appointment was not one dimensional, but based on qualifications, experience and competency. Matlou said a rating of “basic” in a competency test did not preclude an appointment of a candidate, despite legislation and directives stating that it did.
“A municipal council, upon receipt of recommendations from a selection panel, has the prerogative to appoint anyone of the top three recommended candidates. Notwithstanding the minutes that are reportedly making reference to one candidate being better than the other in one aspect or another, the fact remains, anyone of the top three is appointable, and the council made its decision based on a democratic decision,” Matlou said.
The auditor general’s office has painted a picture of Mahikeng local municipality ceasing to be a going concern and replete with reporting irregularities in the 2018-19 financial year. Irregular expenditure was more than R2-billion, up from the previous year’s R1.7-billion. Current liabilities also exceeded assets, which left the municipality with a deficit of more than R132-million.
The auditor general added: “These conditions ... indicate the existence of a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the municipality’s ability to operate as a going concern.”
Irate Mahikeng residents have spoken about the town and the surrounding area’s dilapidated state, including alleged poor water quality and shabby roads.
Activist Thato Molosankwe, who is from Lomanyane village in Mahikeng, said he would lead a sitin next month at local government buildings to protest against the alleged corruption and poor service delivery in the municipality.
“It is time that, as the Tswana nation, we protect our assets. We ask that God and our ancestors protect us in our struggle,” he said.
Katlego Rakuba, of the local Bophirima Business Forum, was quoted by the SABC last month detailing the municipality’s torrid state. “I don’t think one would want to invest in a city like this that is not developing. The infrastructure is poor — as you can see the old buildings that are not maintained. The roads are bad. There [are] a lot of things that cannot attract the investors.”