29 June 2012
015 307 7248
www.bulletin.us.com
Colossal set-back for Tzaneen
R4
The Tropical Paradise is in a mess. The Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) is in disarray and the immediate future is uncertain for the senior management team. Ms Conny Mametja The situation is indeed also very worrying for the GTM’s residents. Our information is that Ms Conny Mametja will definitely not come back as municipal manager (MM), as she has accepted a senior position in government in Polokwane. Since yesterday morning we failed in our attempts to communicate with her, but we have reliably learned that an announcement will be made next week. In the mean time Ms Faith Mashianoke, who has been acting as MM since Mametja’s untimely departure (resulting from the council’s clumsy conduct), has accepted a post in Lebowakgomo and she will not be back on Monday. By Wednesday night not one of the other directors, Messrs Pierre van den Heever (electrical), Obby Mkhombo (community services) and André le Grange (finance,) have been notified of what the future holds for them. Their contracts expire tomorrow (30 June). The post of director: corporate services is vacant. An urgent special council meeting was called for yesterday, but it was too late for us to report on it.
Hawkers Removed The GTM is adamant to bring order and discipline back to Tsaneen’s streets. Recently the town has been invaded by informal traders. Sidewalks have become inaccessible to pedestrians, traffic flow is badly affected and petty crimes are on the increase. On Wednesday municipal officials and police clammed down and confiscated the goods of a number of unlicenced hawkers. Visit www.bulletin.us.com and watch the video of the operation.
Rural areas: FREE • Platteland: GRATIS
Fear lessl y the tr uth
Our information is that the post of MM will be readvertised, meaning that it could be another two months before a new MM would start working. The GTM is currently in top secret mode and nobody is prepared to talk to the media about anything that could be seen as sensitive. We have, however, information indicating that Mkhombo applied for the job as MM, as well as Mr Vincent Maake, a previous director of engineeirng services. He left the GTM a number of years ago, when he allegedly refused to take part in any underhanded deals with tenders and supply chain deals. Another applicant is the man who likes calling himself advocate — Mr Phatudi Nkopodi, the GTM’s legal advisor who was suspended a month ago! Uncertainty is now a huge problem in the GTM’s workforce. Mametja brought discipline and order to the GTM, she worked tirelessly to stabilise the GTM and she worked towards ensuring that Tzaneen would enjoy growth and prosperity. A wrong appointment to replace her can jeopardise Tzaneen’s future. At the time of Bulletin going to press it was expected that Mr Pierre van den Heever would be asked to act as MM. — Francois Aucamp francois@buletin.us.com
Major bust in Giyani
Kingpin... a handcuffed main suspect, Samuel Ramollo (50), at the scene.
Lt Col James Ngoepe, Mag Genl Maggie Mathebula and Lt Col Johanna Monyela are seen here at a table with ammunition, and other stolen goods that the police found in a breakthrough operation in Bolobedu. They also found explosives that might have been used in ATM robberies. On the right more stolen goods can be seen. Report on page 5.