Manager faces nepotism allegations

A Limpopo municipal manager is facing corruption and nepotism allegations. Thabo Magabane of Maruleng local municipality in Limpopo allegedly appointed an Information and Technology (IT) manager through questionable means.

Magabane has been accused of nepotism after he appointed a new IT manager with questionable credentials.

The manager allegedly failed to present his qualifications to the municipality on his appointment some two years ago.

He is alleged to be Magabane’s brother-in-law – they are married to sisters.

According to a damning letter sent to mayor Tsheko Musolwa by former cooperate services director Kabila Malatji, which The Citizen has seen, new IT manager Lukas Kgatla resigned after six months.

The letter reads in part: “The accounting officer did not exercise professional competence and due care when appointing a manager for information and technology. The manager had applied for the position with invalid qualifications.”

The letter, which is due to be discussed by council, also accused Magabane of failing to arrest the situation.

“The accounting officer did not initiate processes to recover the salaries and benefits paid to the said officials as per the prescripts of the Municipal Finance Management Act.”

On Tuesday, Malatji refused to comment on the letter, saying he had since resigned from the municipality.

Asked why, he said it seemed at the time that no one was prepared to take action or to apply consequence management on the part of the accounting officer, based on the extent of the allegations levelled against him.

According to Malatji, Section 3 (1) of the Municipal Regulation of the Financial Misconduct and Criminal Proceedings Gazette of 30 May 2014 stipulates that any person must report an allegation of financial misconduct against the accounting officer, a senior manager or the chief financial officer of a municipality, the provincial Treasury and National Treasury.

Section 3 (1)(d) says the mayor, the accounting officer or chair must table an allegation before the municipal council.

Democratic Alliance council whip Portia Moropane said acts of nepotism could not be allowed.

“We are therefore calling for the skills audit process to all employees in order to see if the right people were appointed to the right positions with the right qualifications,” said Moropane.

Kgatla denied he was related to Magabane and said allegations that he did not have the right qualifications for the job were untrue.