By OBAKENG MAJE
The buoyed residents of Ganyesa, near Vryburg said they will continue to close down Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality offices. The service delivery was affected on Monday and Tuesday after some community members allegedly stormed into the municipal building and demanded that the municipal manager, Olaotswe Bojosinyana resign.
The residents accused Bojosinyana of maladministration and mismanagement of funds. They alleged that Bojosinyana awards contracts to his cronies and continue to be the ‘law unto himself.’
One of the community leaders, Omphemetse Phillips said, they will continue to shut down the municipal offices until their grievances are addressed. Phillips said the municipality received an equitable share to the tune of R40 million two weeks ago, but there is no accountability.
On Monday, Bojosinyana was injured during a confrontation with some of the residents and he was hospitalised. However, he said, he will only respond after being released from the hospital.
“Morning I think we should meet. I am still in the hospital to be released shortly,” he said through WhatsApp messages.
The Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality mayor, Tshireletso Marabutse failed to respond to our telephone calls and WhatsApp messages at the time of publishing the article. The North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) and North West Department of Treasury also failed to respond.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that two cases of assault (Common and Grievous Bodily Harm) were opened in Ganyesa on 12 September 2022 by complainants who alleged that they were assaulted, while protesting at or near Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality offices.
“Still on the same matter, one of the suspects in the assault cases and who is alleged to be a senior municipal official, opened a case with charges of assault, malicious damage to property and theft out of a motor vehicle. All cases are still under investigation and no arrests have been effected.”
Meanwhile, the mayors and executive mayors in North West participated in the recent South African Local Government Association Council of Mayors (SCoM) at The East London International Convention Centre in East Cape on 8 and 9 September 2022. SALGA chairperson in North West, Khumalo Molefe said they deliberated on key local government matters to enhance good governance in municipalities.
“We need to move swiftly towards one public service under common regulations and legislations. So, there should be uniformity in the recognition and remuneration of all office bearers across three spheres of government.
“Councillors do more groundwork and are exposed to more risks, but are the least recognised and remunerated. The inconsistency in the benefit allocation of councillors, where Members of Provincial Legislatures (MPLs) and Parliament are provided with housing, and vehicles, while councillors’ benefits are limited to a point where they are unable to carry out their duties,” he said.
Molefe calls for the law to be responsive to the motion of no confidence which has become a fashionable and haphazard process in the province. He suggested that before a motion of confidence can be served before the council, there should be an intensive public participation process.
“This is because a motion of no confidence undermines the democracy of the people who voted the person being removed into power. Additionally, a motion of no confidence leads to instability in local government.
“Furthermore, the current legislation needs to evolve to deal with this instability effectively. Until the matter is dealt with through legislation, local government leaders might not be able to bring about the necessary stability to the sector,” he said.
The Guardian 