Parties call for calm in Sol Plaatje municipal manager uproar

THE ANC in the Frances Baard region has advised councillor deployees in the Sol Plaatje Municipality “not to delay” in dealing with allegations levelled against municipal manager Thapelo Matlala.

Community members described it as a “slap in the face” after being invited to a special council meeting on September 4, only to be told that Matlala would be given another seven days in which to respond to allegations of corruption, misconduct, and maladministration.

ANC Frances Baard regional secretary Unondumiso Buda recommended that council appoint an independent external investigator to thoroughly probe the allegations and subsequently submit a full report on the alleged flouting of municipal governance procedures.

“This will enable council to review the findings and determine whether disciplinary action is warranted. This approach ensures transparency, accountability, and fairness in addressing the matter,” said Buda.

She noted the disruption of municipal services following protest action by community members and concerned civic groups last week.

“We are pleading for an end to hostilities. Law enforcement institutions should be allowed space and time to investigate all allegations bandied against Matlala.

“We will prioritise the immediate action in dealing with allegations levelled against those holding high office, like the municipal manager. The immediate special leave will allow for all allegations to be investigated without any interference.”

Buda further called on the leadership to hold the municipal administration accountable.

“By ensuring an uninterrupted water supply, pothole repairs, reliable electricity, and regular refuse and waste management services, the lives of local residents will be improved.”

EFF demands suspension

EFF councillor Kenneth Kock was adamant that Matlala should be suspended.

“The municipal manager should be held personally liable if found guilty of any wrongdoing. We, however, believe that he should be given a fair chance to answer the allegations, because we are guided by laws and regulations.”

Kock pointed out that despite promises that feedback would be given at the special council meeting on Thursday, no report from the municipal manager was forthcoming.

“The mayor only provided a meaningless report of dates of troika sittings and who reported these allegations and when these matters were reported. No official report from the municipal manager, or any sense of political intervention, was provided.”

Kock stressed that the matter was serious and needed to be investigated to restore the image of council.

“The EFF will fight corruption to the core, while promoting good governance, service delivery, and the interests of the people of Sol Plaatje.”

He added that the allegations were “serious”, pointing out that the municipality had lost out on millions of rand, with little progress on site at the Eagle and Legaeng pump stations since 2022.

“The contract was initially R21 million, but over R25 million and an additional R2.6 million was spent on the project. The municipal manager was given an opportunity to answer 30 questions addressed to him by the Public Protector.

“We will wait the seven working days for the municipal manager to provide reasons why he should not be suspended, and we will wait for the next special council meeting to represent our people in council.”

Report falls short of expectations

Sol Plaatje Service Delivery Forum councillor Dennis Pienaar added that the report presented during the special council meeting was not the long-awaited report that was supposed to be discussed on September 4.

“Instead of the promised report from the municipal manager in response to the allegations contained in the Sunday World media report, to present his side of the story, the report under discussion concentrated on the complaints of the community at large. It was acknowledged that the situation is serious and could compromise the integrity of the municipal institution.

“The failure to report the detailed information reflecting the view of the municipal manager made it impossible for council to pass a resolution directing his suspension in accordance with the disciplinary regulations for senior managers.”

Pienaar said that, as a result, council had instructed the Office of the Mayor to formally request the municipal manager to submit a statement on why the council should not charge him.

“This resolution was the result of contributions during engagements by the Sol Plaatje Service Delivery Forum to emphasise the importance of council unity and procedural clarity.”

He appealed to the public, community leaders, and civic groups to be patient with the process in order to “avoid procedural defects and irregularities” that could lead to legal repercussions.