ANC backs acting Sol Plaatje municipal manager as DA demands council review

THE ANC in the Frances Baard region has welcomed the appointment of acting municipal manager Busisiwe Mgaguli at the Sol Plaatje Municipality, while municipal manager Thapelo Matlala remains on precautionary suspension pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

ANC regional secretary Unondumiso Buda said she believed that Mgaguli would stabilise the municipality and enhance service delivery.

“Mgaguli brings over 20 years of experience in senior management, with expertise in strategic leadership, financial management, administration, and municipal finance, gained from her tenure at various government institutions.

“She has fulfilled a myriad of key strategic executive and advisory roles in local government institutions, and possesses vast experience, knowledge, skills and competencies in complying with legislative prescripts relating to the public sector.”

Buda strongly condemned any personal attacks on Mgaguli and called on the ANC’s municipal deployees to fully support her in her critical role, ensuring sound financial management, prudent resource allocation, and sustainable service delivery.

“Furthermore, the ANC in the Frances Baard region calls upon all local stakeholders to collaborate with the interim municipal manager to drive this institution’s effectiveness and achieve service delivery goals for communities.

"This requires a collective effort and unity of purpose and partnership with all role players. By uniting across party lines, sectors, and communities, we can drive meaningful change and improve the lives of all residents of Sol Plaatje Municipality.

“From the unfortunate events of the recent past, as the ANC, we believe that this municipality will overcome adversity and has surely learnt lessons on how to succeed going forward.”

Buda added that the ANC insisted that municipalities must deliver results.

“Municipalities are where the rubber hits the road. When services fail, residents bear the brunt. The ANC insists on a top-notch, well-oiled municipal machine that delivers results. Anything less is unacceptable.”

DA calls for special council meeting 

Meanwhile, the DA has requested that an urgent special council meeting be convened to afford all councillors the opportunity to interrogate the recommendation and subsequent appointment of Mgaguli as acting municipal manager.

DA caucus leader Heinrich Pieterse stated that her appointment was listed as a confidential item during a special council meeting held on October 1.

“The DA was not afforded the opportunity to scrutinise the curriculum vitae of the candidate or to know who the candidate was, other than being made aware that the appointment would be a secondment.

“Any secondment to the embattled Sol Plaatje Municipality should be made with due care and consideration, especially taking into account that the incumbent municipal manager is facing allegations of improper conduct and was placed under precautionary suspension.”

He added that the appointment had implications for governance, compliance, and public trust.

“It is both prudent and necessary for council to deliberate and resolve on the legality and propriety of the secondment.

“The DA submitted a request for an urgent special council meeting to be convened. We also requested that the Legal Services Unit and Corporate Services Directorate be instructed to table all relevant documentation and correspondence relating to the secondment of Mgaguli for council’s consideration.

“This should include any significant and pertinent matters relating to her work history that may impact the consideration of her appointment to a position of responsibility at Sol Plaatje Municipality.

“Residents of Sol Plaatje deserve a fit-for-purpose municipal manager who practises good, clean governance and can get service delivery working again,” Pieterse said.