By STAFF REPORTER
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) official, Moreotsile Olifant who serves as a Proportional Representation councillor (PR), is ‘facing’ allegations of fraud and corruption. This comes after some of the community members from Matsheng, Tlapeng and Manthe villages accused him of nepotism.
It is alleged that Olifant illegally appointed some individuals for Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) jobs. The North West Public Works and Roads (NWPWR) needed 800 people for de-bushing and cutting of trees for three months.
A member of the ward committee in Matsheng village, John Sebico told Vaaltar FM that, he received numerous complaints from the members of the community regarding the matter.
“We can confirm that we have received numerous complaints from our community members who wanted to know the criteria used to hire people for these posts. However, as the members of ward committee, we were not aware of any appointments done by Mr Olifant until the matter was brought to our attention.
“What Mr Olifant did was wrong because he sows some divisions amongst our community. The country is faced with a high rate of unemployment and any job opportunity that arise needs to be given to the community equally. It is wrong to appoint people in dark corners without following proper procedures,” Sebico said.
Another community member in Tlapeng village, Abel Serasengwe shared the same sentiments. Serasengwe said there were individuals who were appointed from his area for those posts too.
“We are also aware that, there were people who were appointed in Tlapeng. Those people were called by a certain councillor to go to Manthe and sign contracts. We would like to condemn this behaviour and urge the GTLM to take critical steps against the councillor,” he said.
A resident from Manthestad, Kamogelo Chakane said: “I received a call from one of the community members asking me if I am aware that there are people who have been appointed for EPWP posts. However, I was not aware and I called the Baga-Maidi Tribal Authority office to check if they are aware of the matter.
“Unfortunately, the acting chief, Mr Mahumapelo was not aware too. I informed him that it is alleged that officials from the North West Public Works and Roads are making people sign contracts next to the Manthe Primary School. Indeed, Mr Mahumapelo rushed to the scene and found one of the officials from the department, Kabelo Chabaesele and tried to stop him, but he refused and drove away.”
Chakane called on the municipality to take steps against that certain councillor who orchestrated all this because this was not the correct procedure to appoint people. He said normally, if there is any job opportunity, the relevant authorities should go to the tribal authority offices and urge leaders to convene a meeting, then appointments can take place.”
Meanwhile, the GTLM speaker, Ebusang Tladi told Taung DailyNews that he had received two letters of complaints regarding the matter. Tladi said he will then table the matter before the municipal council to make a decision.
“As the municipality, we will make sure that we get to the bottom of this. I also received few calls from our community members alleging that there is a certain PR councillor at Taung Mall who is hiring people for EPWP jobs.
“However, I requested one person to send me prove regarding this, unfortunately, he said the councillor saw him while he was trying to take pictures of them, then they despaired. So, the council will make a decision whether to assemble an investigation team in the matter or not,” he said.
The North West Public Works and Roads District Director, Ntlogelang Tumelo told Vaaltar FM that they have already started with investigations regarding the allegations. Tumelo said he received the information from the GTLM speaker, Ebusang Tladi and the mayor, Nnyoko Motlhabane.
“The investigations are underway, but we have not found anything tangible thus far. We can confirm that it is the sole responsibility of the department to appoint people as far as EPWP job opportunities are concerned.
“In Taung, Mr Chabaesele is the one who is responsible for appointing people. Previously, as the department, we will go to the municipality and the tribal authorities if we wanted to appoint people. However, we experienced the delays regarding the names of the people who were supposed to be appointed, hence we created a database,” he said.
Tumelo further said they also informed the municipality and tribal authorities about that database. He said they requested them to submit all names of young people who are between the age of 18 and 35 and looking for job opportunities in the EPWP.
“In December 2020, we needed 800 people in the region. Those who need job opportunities in the EPWP can still come forward and be included in our database. As the department, our appointment processes take place at our offices, not in the streets,” said Tumelo.
He said the EPWP is one of the many programmes offered by the National Department of Public Works and aims to provide poverty and income relief through temporary work for the unemployed to carry out socially useful activities at the EPWP.
Olifant denied these allegations and said he would not comment further on the matter.
The Guardian 