R1-20/FREE
17 May 2013
Drama and infighting in Bela Bela municipality “If there is one thing I cannot tolerate it is political interference in my work. If some politicians think I am not doing my job properly, they are welcome to intervene and remedy the situation because I do not interfere with anyone else’s job,” Lizzy Bapela The recently appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the municipality, Morris Maluleka, has become the most talkedabout head of department in the municipality. Sources in the municipality allege that Maluleka appointed two consultants without following the municipality’s proper procedure of the Supply Chain Policy, costing the municipality R3, 5 million, with one company to be paid R1, 7 million for a period of 3 months. The council’s Executive Committee (EXCO) then requested Maluleka to submit written reasons within seven days as to why he should not be suspended for such allegations on Tuesday 7 May. Instead, the CFO apparently filed papers with the High Court, requesting it to set aside the letter that request him to provide such reasons. According to the sources, the papers served indicated that the matter is expected to be heard on Tuesday 28 May. It has also been reported that the mayor has laid a criminal charge against the CFO at the local police station, which the police confirmed. Maluleka was reported to have exchanged words with Hlungwani on the evening of Monday 6 May. Sources alleged that Maluleka threatened Hlungwani over the phone for recommending his suspension. The mayor apparently recorded Maluleka threatening him with violence for requesting him to answer to allegations of misconduct. Maluleka joined the municipality on 8 February after it operated for almost two years without a CFO, a state of affairs that led the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) coming to Bela Bela to intervene. He first became unpopular after local resi-
dents with outstanding money in their municipal accounts experienced electricity cutoffs and as the CFO he was blamed. The incident led to concerned residents and representatives of the local youth movements such as Congress of South African Students (COSAS) embarking in a mass action protest, expressing their anger towards Maluleka. Residents owing money to the municipality had to wait in long queues at the municipality after arrangements were made regarding methods of payment. The BEAT interviewed Maluleka to hear his side of the story and he responded openly and was willing to have a meeting to iron out issues raised. He said that he followed proper procedures when he appointed the consultants and anyone alleging otherwise must submit proof of the allegations. A meeting was then set up for Wednesday 15 May for demonstration of proof regarding the said allegations and discuss other work related issues. Maluleka denied having any exchange of words with Hlungwani, saying he knows nothing about the allegations and the court case. “I do not even have three months working in the municipality so why would I have developed such alleged hatred towards the mayor?” he said. He added that he spoke to the mayor on a daily basis and that there has been no tension between them. Regarding the electricity cut-offs, he said that he does not know how to conduct that process, and added that the people spreading these allegations were being misled and were not aware of all the facts. “If there is one thing I cannot tolerate it is political interference in my work. If some politicians think I am not doing my job properly, they are welcome to intervene and remedy the situation because I do not interfere with anyone else’s job,” he said. Hlungwani also confirmed having opened a criminal case with the local police against
Maluleka but could not comment further on the matter. In another looming court battle, The Beat can also confirm that the recently appointed Corporate Services Manager Advocate Abel Ramolotja has been ordered to vacate the offices of the municipality after one month in office. Ramolotja, a former UNISA academic, CCMA Commissioner and Premier Soccer League (PSL) Disciplinary Committee’s Chairperson took office on 1 April 2013, only to be informed on 2 May 2013 that he must vacate the municipal offices with immediate effect. Aparently, the Council has since appointed Phenius Sebola to the position. It is most likely that Ramolotja, who holds B Iuris, LLB and a Master of Laws (LLM) degrees in labour law will refer his case to the courts. Sebola and EXCO member councillor Lucas Nhlapo unsuccessfully challenged Ramolotja’s appointment in the High Court in February. When asked for comment Ramolotja would only say “Justitia omnia vincit”, a Lating expression translating to “justice conquers all”. During one of the Council session debates on who should be appointed Corporate Services Manager in the municipality, it was reported that Sebola’s B Iuris degree was withheld by the university, an allegation which he denied. In an interview with The BEAT, Sebola also denied contesting for the said post, saying he is happy at the Waterberg District Municipality. The BEAT later learnt that Sebola resigned from the district municipality to occupy the said post, which he was allegedly promised by certain members of the council in the Bela Bela municipality.