Suspended MM back in office
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) municipal manager Chris Magwangqana arrived at work on Tuesday after his three-month suspension ended in December.
Magwangqana was suspended for 90 days last September during a special council meeting for issues including having allegedly “misled” council over his failure to protect municipal assets from being auctioned and rescinding a decision taken in August to oppose the placement of an administrator.
He was due to attend a disciplinary hearing at the department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) offices in East London on December 21 but reportedly failed to before returning to work unannounced on Tuesday morning.
The municipal manager confirmed that he reported for duty because his suspension period was over and he did not want to be accused of having absconded.
“Another reason is because I have not been charged with anything.
In terms of the disciplinary regulations for senior managers, if a senior is suspended a disciplinary hearing must commence within three months after the date of suspension, failing which the suspension will automatically lapse.
“Three months have ended without any charges being made against me.”
Magwangqana said EMLM mayor Sisisi Tolashe had asked him to vacate the municipal office due to charges against him having been served at his residence on December 21, which he denied receiving.
“The mayor said the documents were received and signed by someone who they had found at the residence and that was not me.
“I requested the mayor to put everything in writing as backup, which she did, and according to the letter from her I am still suspended as per the council resolution, pending the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings,” he said.
Magwangqana asked how he could prepare for a disciplinary hearing without being formally charged.
The hearing has reportedly been rescheduled for January 15, 17 and 24.