DA and PA branded 'sellouts' for failing to back Matlala suspension

COMMUNITY members have questioned the “real motive” behind the decision of the DA and PA to abstain from voting during a special council meeting that was convened to address the thorny issue of Sol Plaatje municipal manager Thapelo Matlala.

The doors to the gallery in the Sol Plaatje municipal council chambers were bolted shut when the precautionary suspension of the municipal manager was deliberated, and legal advisers were consulted in chambers on September 16.

Shortly before takeaways were served to councillors for supper, community members were chased out of the foyer.

They were left standing in the corridor or sitting on the floor in the dark, as some of the lights were not working.

“We were treated like dogs and were not making any disturbances when we were told to leave the foyer. It was bad manners to eat in front of us while we were waiting for hours behind locked doors,” they said.

The majority of councillors eventually voted in favour of placing Matlala on precautionary suspension.

‘Allegations against Matlala are serious’

ANC provincial spokesperson Sandiseni Sithole described the allegations against Matlala as “very serious” and indicated that ANC councillors had "spoken with one voice".

“The precautionary suspension will allow for the investigation to conclude without any interference. We urge the community to remain calm and assure residents that the credibility and stability of the institution will be restored,” said Sithole.

Herbert Miller from Justice4all pointed out that the DA had called for the gallery to be cleared on September 4 when the precautionary suspension was first raised.

“Abstaining from voting amounts to voting for Matlala to remain in charge of the administration,” said Miller.

He added that councillors should be scrutinised for advancing their own agendas instead of acting in the interests of the electorate who voted them into office.

“We are not surprised about the PA, while the actions of the DA go against claims that it is against corruption.”

Miller further advised that, if found guilty, any irregular expenditure or undue benefits should be deducted from Matlala’s pension.

The chairperson of the Northern Cape Civics Organisation, Ross Henderson, believed that the council was tiptoeing around the issue instead of taking decisive action.

“It is highly unlikely for any employee to win a court case against their employer for being placed on precautionary suspension, especially in the face of overwhelming evidence. It is disappointing how the DA failed to take a stand against corruption,” said Henderson.

He also highlighted the lack of progress in Hawks, Special Investigating Unit and Public Protector investigations that were opened two years ago, in which Matlala was implicated.

FF+ councillor Francois Reichert said council members would be selected to form part of the investigation panel within the next seven days.

“The team has been given three months to relay their findings,” he added.

Tumelo Mosikare from the Sol Plaatje Community Forum expressed shock over the stance taken by the DA and PA, while decisions were made behind closed doors.

“Had civic groups not called for action against the municipal manager, he would still be in his position,” said Mosikare.

EFF councillor Pontsho Mocwana said the precautionary suspension was a “crucial step towards ensuring a fair and impartial disciplinary process”.

“An urgent special council meeting must be convened to appoint the investigators. We anticipate a transparent and detailed report within 30 days from the date of their appointment.”

Sol Plaatje Service Delivery Forum councillor Dennis Pienaar supported an investigation into the allegations, although he highlighted that there was no “hard-core evidence” to support the claims.

"However, given the seriousness of the allegations, the council has a responsibility to ensure that senior managers are prohibited, in their personal conduct, from using their position, privileges or confidential information for personal gain or to benefit others improperly.

"A senior manager generally cannot hold a financial interest in a municipal business or make decisions on behalf of the municipality when they share associates or have a personal interest."

He pointed out that the council would have to determine whether there were strong enough grounds to charge Matlala and formally institute disciplinary processes.

The CEO of the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nocci), Sharon Steyn, believed it was a red flag that two opposition parties withdrew from the decision-making process.

“What do they have to gain? The DA and PA need to provide reasons, as the precautionary suspension was implemented based on hard evidence and existing criminal investigations.”

She welcomed the suspension of the municipal manager as a “step towards cleaning up the city”.

“We hope that the acting municipal manager who will be seconded by Coghsta, and the incoming municipal manager, will prioritise local businesses and grow the local economy so that the city can thrive. Businesses, ratepayers, and the community should work together with the municipality to improve Kimberley."

The convener of Women Waging War against GBVF, Milly Wolfe, pointed out that the entire “criminal syndicate network” looting state coffers needed to be rooted out.

“The contracts that have surfaced are only the tip of the iceberg, and many more officials are involved. The appetite of politicians is insatiable, and we need to protect the little resources that are left.”

DA and PA offer reasons for withholding votes 

DA councillor Willie Erasmus explained that the council had "failed to take the damning allegations levelled against Matlala seriously and had instead played to the gallery”.

“Council has yet to appoint an investigator to probe the alleged irregular awarding of contracts and staff appointments. This has thwarted the disciplinary process, as there were only hearsay allegations and media speculation to evaluate the accuracy and merits of the municipal manager’s version of events. The DA alerted the council to this dilemma,” said Erasmus.

He claimed that there was insufficient proof to justify the precautionary suspension.

“In order not to prejudice the disciplinary process or derail the investigation, the DA abstained from voting.”

Erasmus warned against making “rash, emotional decisions”.

“Sol Plaatje Municipality had to pay out millions of rand for acting officials when the former municipal manager, Goolam Akharwary, and former chief financial officer, Lydia Mahloko, were suspended. They continued to earn their full salaries for years, without ever being officially disciplined or charged. Corruption must be eradicated from Sol Plaatje Municipality and ratepayers must be protected against financial mismanagement, corruption and abuse of process.”

PA provincial chairperson Anthony Sutherland indicated that their councillors were unable to provide a detailed report at the time of publication, as they were attending to service delivery issues.