Sol Plaatje municipal manager locked out, as suspension dispute intensifies

Sol Plaatje municipal manager Thapelo Matlala was unable to enter his office on Monday morning as none of the keys, including the master key, could open the door. 

It is believed that the locks were changed when he was placed on precautionary suspension on September 16 2025.

Allegations of misconduct were levelled against him and it was advised that he should be subjected to disciplinary action.

Matlala reported for duty on January 5, with his body guards, after he notified the executive mayor by way of a lawyer's letter that his three month suspension had automatically lapsed on December 17 2025. 

A number of municipal officials and councillors gave him a warm welcome.

Meanwhile the Kimberley station commander was called in and an SAPS vehicle patrolled the premises due to apparent safety concerns.  

It is believed that Matlala was served with a letter, advising him to vacate the municipality and that instructions were given that he should not be allowed inside the municipality until January 8. 

Matlala "must return" to work 

Matlala’s legal representative Matome Mashao, indicated that his client had yet to be charged. 

“There is no indication when the disciplinary hearing will commence. The law regulating the suspensions of senior managers gives no discretion to council nor to Mr Matlala himself; once the three months period has expired the senior manager, and in casu the municipal manager, must (not may) return to work.” 

He emphasised that the actions taken against Matlala were “an unlawful and ill-advised witch-hunt”.

“We are constrained to advise that council and/or council officials acting in total disregard of the law and going on a gross and unlawful frolic have to be met with punitive instruments that exist in our law,” he stated. 

Matlala indicated that he wished to return to work to address sanitation spillages in and around the city and ensure that the  R2, 5 billion Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) project to upgrade water infrastructure in the city was on track. 

Suspension was "flawed"

Sol Plaatje Service Delivery Forum councillor Dennis Pienaar pointed out that the suspension was flawed,

"Without weighing the merits of the case, council failed to adhere to the stipulated timelines to implement disciplinary processes. 

“Grave transgressions were committed where decisions were taken without any council resolution. The investigation report into the allegations remains incomplete. The complainants who laid the allegations were never interviewed and no evidence was presented to substantiate the claims. Matlala should be reinstated because there is nothing to prove any wrongdoing.” 

He was convinced that Matlala was placed on suspension so that there could be easy access to the R2, 5 billion BFI funds. 

Pienaar stated that he requested a comprehensive report into an internal audit dated August 2025 relating to a tender awarded under the BFI. 

He added that he had submitted a motion on December 1 to discuss the appointment of acting municipal manager Busiswe Mgaguli that was supposed to only be effective for one month from September 29 until October 29 2025. 

“An acting municipal manager is only supposed to be seconded to a municipality if there is a vacancy that has been advertised  and no suitable candidate has been appointed. 

"The position is not vacant and is occupied by Matlala notwithstanding the fact that he has been placed on precautionary suspension.”

GOOD slams lack of transparency

GOOD councillor Rachel Wapad questioned the lack of transparency and secrecy surrounding Matlala’s reinstatement.

“Everyone has been left in the dark. The mayor and Speaker should be charged for not ensuring that the processes were not followed.”

She questioned why the BFI manager Winston Moyahi had been given a three month contract to “oversee the project” after his contract had come to an end last year. 

“There was no council resolution regarding this contract and we do not know if it has been extended,” she added.   

Moyahi requested to take special leave following his appearance in the Kimberley magistrate's court in connection with the R2 billion Kimberley Mental Health Hospital in May last year.

Civil society slams secrecy and confusion surrounding the suspension

Convener of Women Waging War on GBVF, Abuse, Inequality and Poverty Millicent Wolfe said they were still awaiting a response to a letter submitted two weeks ago by their organisation,  Justice For All Movement Abahambe, Community Alliance South Africa (CASA), Operation Fiela and the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce on behalf of civil society concerning the “ongoing silence, confusion and lack of official communication” shrouding Matlala's precautionary suspension.

She pointed out that the allegations were serious and could not “be left hanging”.

“A criminal case was registered in relation to the allegations in May 2025. The charges cannot evaporate into thin air. The people of Sol Plaatje are demanding answers and will no longer tolerate impunity, secrecy, abuse of authority or governance. Any attempt to subvert due process, delay accountability, or mislead the public will be met with direct, organised and sustained public resistance, lawful action and institutional complaints at every available oversight body. We are not interested in factional politics,” Wolfe said. 

The letter stated that the situation had become a “public crisis” while no update was offered on the status of the investigation, the identity and independence of the investigators, the legal and procedural basis of the suspension and timelines.

“The vacuum of leadership and communication has eroded public trust. Sol Plaatje municipality is not a private playground. The community is watching, documenting and preparing for escalation should transparency and accountability continue to be denied. The time for excuses is over,” it said.

Sol Plaatje municipality indicated that it would respond to media enquiries in due course.