By OBAKENG MAJE
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region alleged that the ANC continues to protect corruption taking place at the beleaguered Mamusa Local Municipality.
This comes after a confrontation between the EFF councillor who is the municipal speaker, Olebeng Mogorosi and the chairperson of the North West Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affair, Aaron Motswana recently.
Mamusa Local Municipality was called to appear before the committee to respond to the allegations that the municipality has two acting municipal managers and one was allegedly appointed by Mogorosi.
EFF regional spokesperson, Lebogang Koboekae said they have noted with disgust the on-going onslaught of the municipal speaker by the ANC. Koboekae said it is a fact that the ANC is ‘at the brink of collapsing’ the Mamusa Local Municipality by protecting corruption it has been benefitting from over the years.
“There is a responsibility to ensure that there is accountability within the municipality and sound administration. Therefore, that rests on the EFF councillor who was elected as the speaker of council within the municipality.
“On 6 February 2022, Motswana sent an invitation to Mogorosi that clearly outlined the purpose of the meeting and equally listed the officials who were to form part of the meeting such as the mayor, MPAC chairperson and the municipal manager,” he said.
Koboekae said, surprisingly, upon Mogorosi’s arrival at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPG) where the meeting was held, he was told that a certain community member, NPO and suspended CFO will be forming part of the meeting.
“Mogorosi outlined to Motswana that the guests could not form part of the meeting since they are not municipal officials or employees. However, Motswana arrogantly told the speaker to leave the meeting if he deemed fit to do so, which Mogorosi eventually did.
“Motswana intentionally undermined the decisions and resolutions of the council by inviting the CFO and former acting municipal manager, who was suspended by the very same council due to allegations of gross financial misconduct as well as his friend who was convicted in a court of law for burning the municipal building to the meeting,” he said.
However, Motswana who came out guns blazing said the EFF statement is bizarre and rejected with the contempt it deserves. He said the committee views the statement as a malicious attempt to defocus the attention of the public and the media on the responsibility of the speaker as the custodian of council resolutions to account and clear the allegations of existence of two accounting officers in a municipality where he is presiding.
“The statement issued by the EFF is unfortunate and seeks to undermine the work of the committee, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Standing Rules of the Legislature.
“The speaker was treated like any other invitee in terms of Standing Rules of the North West Provincial Legislature (Rule 114) and Section 115 of the Constitution of the Republic. The Constitution does not allow him to dictate to the portfolio committee of the Legislature on how to conduct or who to invite to its meetings,” he said.
Motswana further said he will not be allowed to apply tactics to escape scrutiny and accountability no matter attempts of interference by political parties. He added that once the speaker is elected, s/he should be neutral, non-partisan and act as a guardian to the Constitution, rule of law and enforcer of same.
“The speaker must be reminded that the office he occupied requires him to serve the people of Mamusa and the public not to be political. Outside government, he can submit to his political party views but the position he occupies requires him to be exemplary.
“The Portfolio Committee will not degenerate into unnecessary mudslinging and deliberate attempts to mislead and undermine the stature of the committee. The committee will continue to perform its functions without fear or favour,” said Motswana.
He added that it is against this background that the committee has resolved to summon the speaker to come and account. Motswana said they will also instruct the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Lenah Miga to go to court and interdict the municipality’s bank account until the council resolves allegations marred the municipality.
The Guardian 