MEC distances herself as sister’s municipal employment probed

THE NORTHERN Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Venus Blennies-Magage, has distanced herself from any involvement in the employment of her sister, Beauty Blennies, who serves as a youth desk co-ordinator in the Office of the Executive Mayor at Sol Plaatje Municipality.

The municipality confirmed this week that it is investigating claims that Beauty Blennies received a salary despite allegedly being absent from her desk for an extended period. The spokesperson for the Office of the Mayor, Keobakile Musunse, said the probe is looking into whether proper approval was granted for her absence, beyond maternity leave in 2025.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Kgalalelo Matsime, stressed that MEC Blennies-Magage had no role in Sol Plaatje’s staffing or payroll decisions.

“The suggestion that the MEC has ‘permitted’ an official to be absent from duty or has ‘prevented’ adjustments to her remuneration is both incorrect and constitutionally unfounded,” Matsime said.

She added that staffing matters fall under the sole authority of the municipal administration and council.

“National and provincial governments are only mandated to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities. They are not empowered to interfere in operational staff decisions.”

Matsime noted that an MEC can only intervene in municipal affairs under strict legal conditions, none of which apply here.

“Given this clear legal framework, it is constitutionally implausible and factually incorrect to suggest that the MEC has authority over municipal staffing matters. These are decisions taken exclusively by the municipal manager and the municipal council.”

She concluded that the MEC has no jurisdiction over municipal appointments.

“This narrative is not only misleading but appears to be crafted in a way that unfairly undermines the credibility of a public office-bearer without substantiation. The MEC remains committed to her constitutional duties and to the principles of transparency, accountability, and lawful governance.” 

The MEC’s legal representative, advocate Olebogeng Leketi, said his client’s reputation had been unfairly damaged by attempts to link her to municipal staffing matters.

He added that her dignity had been ‘sullied’ in her capacity as MEC, in her standing within the ANC, and internationally.

Leketi demanded that no further defamatory or hurtful statements be made about the MEC, warning that legal action would be considered if necessary.

Beauty Blennies herself rejected the allegations of absenteeism. In a social media statement, she said she had continued to perform her duties, apart from maternity leave and complications during her pregnancy.

“The claims that I have been absconding from work are not only malicious but also feeds into internal dirty politics that seeks to distract me from discharging my responsibilities as I have been doing for the past two years,” she said.

Beauty Blennies argued that the Office of the Mayor was understaffed, noting that no new contracts or extensions had been signed since the end of the former executive mayor’s term.

She claimed she was the target of a smear campaign aimed at blocking the renewal of her contract and undermining her future career prospects.

“This is nothing else but jealousy, envy and hatred towards me and my sister, who is the MEC,” she said.

The DFA notes that its original report never alleged that MEC Blennies-Magage was involved in her sister’s employment or remuneration. Our coverage has reflected the municipality’s confirmation of an investigation into staffing practices, recorded the family connection — which is firmly in the public interest — and now includes the MEC’s categorical denial of any involvement.

Musunse earlier this week emphasised that the municipality’s probe is ongoing and that any confirmed breaches of policy will be dealt with decisively and transparently, in line with municipal disciplinary procedures.