Intimidation charges opened as Sol Plaatje municipal manager returns to work

CHARGES of intimidation have been lodged after bodyguards who were apparently armed accompanied the municipal manager, Thapelo Matlala, when he returned to Sol Plaatje Municipality this week after his precautionary suspension lapsed. 

Matlala was reinstated on January 6 amid an ongoing investigation that is being conducted into charges of alleged misconduct. 

Community members who were prevented from entering the municipal premises on Tuesday objected to Matlala’s reinstatement, as the official inquiry has not been completed yet. 

“He is facing serious charges and he must not set foot inside the municipality. He may possibly interfere in the investigation and he should be placed on suspension again. We cannot allow this lawlessness and will close the roads," they threatened. 

A special council meeting has been scheduled for January 8 at 10am, where Sol Plaatje executive mayor Martha Bartlett is expected to update council on the progress of Matlala's investigation.  

Speaker fears for her safety 

Sol Plaatje Speaker Dipuo Peters on Tuesday indicated that she approached the police to alert them of safety concerns and open a charge of intimidation.

“I am a leader and I feel unsafe at this institution. There is no access control in the building and anyone can enter on a free-for-all basis. How can we work in an environment where people whom we do not know are running up and down in the corridors with dark glasses and loaded guns? Anyone can get hurt. What if someone gets shot?” she asked.

Peters added that she was not aware that the municipal manager was entitled to security protection. 

“I only know of the premier and the president who have security details. Even the mayor and Speaker only have ordinary council security.”

She pointed out that the lives of council officials and political officer-bearers were at risk.

“A number of councillors have been killed throughout the country and no one knows who murdered them. We don't want that at Sol Plaatje - for anyone or myself to be killed. We cannot sit around like lame ducks waiting to be targeted. There is a serious problem at this municipality.” 

Peters emphasised that a security assessment had to be conducted at the municipality. 

“Anyone can enter the corridors. A lady was hurt when she fell in the corridors and a person was stabbed in his office two weeks ago in this building. The mayor was accosted in the passage in this municipality. I was threatened three weeks ago in my own office by an official who demanded a permanent appointment.” 

Disciplinary hearing to begin next week    

She added that Matlala had been served with the charges and that the disciplinary hearing would commence on January 13. 

“A company was appointed on December 4 to lead the investigation and an evidence leader has also been appointed. To my understanding, Matlala was supposed to return to the municipality on December 17 after his suspension lapsed. For whatever reason, he chose to come back on January 5.” 

Peters indicated that a council meeting could not be arranged over the festive season as councillors were on leave. 

She did not wish to elaborate on the charges that were levelled against Matlala and referred media enquiries to the legal team. 

Matlala unfazed by disciplinary charges

Matlala was confident that his reinstatement would be resolved in a “mature and rational manner” within the parameters of the law.

“My lawyers are dealing with the disciplinary charges, although I am not too concerned, as they are flimsy. There is no debate about my return to office,” he added. 

DA calls for an end to municipal manager saga 

DA Sol Plaatje Municipality caucus leader Heinrich Pieterse insisted on clear answers relating to the extension of the municipal manager's suspension and the deployment of the acting municipal manager, Busisiwe Magaguli, at the upcoming special council meeting.

"This long-overdue meeting will be used to demand accountability for a series of questionable decisions relating to the extension of the suspension of Matlala, despite incomplete investigations and inconclusive evidence. This includes the failure to fully inform council about the deployment of Mgaguli to act in the municipality’s highest administrative position."

He added that the acting municipal manager's deployment had apparently been extended after it lapsed on January 3.

"This municipal manager debacle has gone on for far too long. This raises serious concerns that Sol Plaatje Municipality may currently be operating with two accounting officers, in direct contravention of governance norms.

"We further seek clarity under whose authority Matlala was denied access to his office on Monday after his suspension lapsed on December 17."

Pieterse called for the agenda behind the municipal manager saga to be revealed.

"Wasteful expenditure is being incurred through the payment of two salaries from scarce municipal resources for a single position.

"Since Matlala's initial suspension, the DA has consistently advocated for due process and the uninterrupted continuation of the R2.5 billion water infrastructure project, which is critical to improving service delivery and the quality of life for Kimberley residents." 

He raised serious concerns about "unjustified attempts" to restructure senior management in the absence of the municipal manager.

"This appears to form part of a co-ordinated attempt to capture the municipality."

Pieterse indicated that they would request a comprehensive breakdown of all contracts entered into and payments made during Mgaguli’s tenure as acting municipal manager.

"Council was never formally approached for approval or oversight since the commencement of her deployment," he stated.