'Municipal manager must also be axed'

The Thulamela sub-region of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has threatened with mass action, should the Thulamela municipal manager not be removed. The structure believes he should be axed for his involvement in the VBS saga and that he is simply hanging around, hoping to get a “golden handshake”.

Earlier this month, Thulamela Mayor Mushoni Tshifhango was axed, following an instruction by the provincial executive committee (PEC) of the ANC in Limpopo. This was in line with a forensic report on the VBS matter that recommended action against all politicians and officials involved in the scandal. The report also fingered Thulamela’s municipal manager, Hlengani Maluleke. The report did indicate that political pressure had been exerted on officials to invest with VBS bank.

Thulamela Municipality is one of the few Limpopo-based municipalities that did not lose money when the scams at the bank were exposed. Thulamela withdrew their investment and managed to collect interest of just over R682 000.

The convenor of the ANCYL Thulamela Sub-region, Mukhethwa Mulovhedzi, said this week that the new mayor, Humbulani Mulovhedzi, must act and implement the resolutions. “The Thulamela Municipal Council took a resolution as guided by the Report of the National Treasury on the VBS ‘looting’ to suspend the municipal manager. To date, the municipal manager is still in the office, performing the duties of an accounting officer as if nothing had happened,” he said.

Mulovhedzi said that a committee had been set up to conduct a disciplinary hearing, but they believed that the municipal manager was in charge of appointing a chairperson of the committee. “We do not believe that the municipal manager can voluntarily submit himself to injury by selecting a chairperson that will be objective against him,” he said.

“Ethical governance dictates that the municipal manager be on a special leave for the duration of the investigation, so that the investigations can proceed without his participation or hindrance,” Mulovhedzi added, saying that the investigation might not be perceived as credible.

The Thulamela branch of the ANCYL also strongly opposes any “golden handshake” offered to officials. The branch further insists that the municipality repay the interest earned on the “illegal” investment with VBS.

“The municipal manager, Mr Maluleke Hlengani, must be strongly warned that his expectations will trigger unprecedented resistance that further drive a regrettable ending of this matter,” Mulovhedzi warned.

He said that the VBS matter was “very close to us and we will forever endeavour to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book”. The ANCYL branch issued a seven-day ultimatum to the municipality to act “after which we will mobilise our robbed communities and the public to stage responsible protests at the Thulamela Municipal Offices.” Mulovhedzi emphasised that the protest will be responsible and strictly adhere to the all Covid-19 protocols and regulations.

The ANC Vhembe region’s spokesperson, Mr Tshifhiwa Dali, gave the assurance that the matter will be dealt with in a responsible manner. “As the ANC in Vhembe, we have confidence that the Thulamela Municipality’s leadership will have the capacity to handle the issue,” he said.

Date:30 July 2021

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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