By OBAKENG MAJE
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayoral luxury BMW X3 will allegedly cost taxpayers R200 000 to fix. This comes after the mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe who crashed the official SUV worth over R700 000 allegedly failed to submit an Accident Report (AR) to the insurance within the prescribed 48 hours.
According to reports, now the municipality allegedly wants to use R200 000 budget allocated for service delivery to fix the vehicle, however, this has caused an outcry within the council. Gaoraelwe, who was on leave and allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, was involved in an accident 10km outside Schweizer Reneke along N12 road in October 2022.
Even though he alleged that he was with his ex-wife and two children, the Accident Report (AR) suggests that, he was with the ‘unknown’ passenger aged 31 in the luxury SUV during the accident.
Now, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has tabled a motion of no confidence against him. The DA councillor, Sam Nape said, Gaoraelwe is not fit to hold office. Nape further said, Gaoraelwe allegedly submitted a contrary affidavit.
“We have submitted a notice of motion of no confidence in terms of Rule 21.1 of the Standing Rules of Order against the GTLM mayor to the municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai. I move on behalf of the DA on a motion of no confidence in terms of Rule 21.1 of the Standing Rules of Order.
“On 3 October 2022, Gaoraelwe took possession of the mayoral vehicle, travelled outside of the municipal boundaries with one passenger, and was involved in a motor vehicle accident outside the town of Schweizer Reneke,” he said.
Nape added that a police investigation is underway against Gaoraelwe for negligent driving, which might suspiciously have been caused by driving under the influence of alcohol. He said in the process, the mayoral vehicle suffered extensive damages.
“In terms of Section 2 of Local Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, a councillor must perform the functions of the office in good faith, honestly, and in a transparent manner.
“This must be done at all times in the best interest of the municipality and in such a way that the credibility and integrity of the
municipality are not compromised. So, Gaoraelwe is not fit to hold the office because he breached his oath,” said Nape.
However, Gaoraelwe squashed these allegations and said this begins to raise a serious concern about the journalist conducting the inquiry, which is a matter which ought to be looked into and exposed if found to be fiddling to sponsor a certain negative narrative about him.
“I submitted only one statement, which I can account for. If there’s any other statement whose contents do not reflect the original statement, then this question should be directed to the relevant authorities.
“If there is any frivolous, spineless and baseless motion of no confidence against me, the municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai will convene a council sitting,” he said.
He said as things stand, the municipal council has a huge responsibility in matters of service delivery. Gaoraelwe said the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998. Chapter 3, Section 29 is very clear about meetings of the council.
“The speaker decides when and where the council meets subject to Section 18 (2) council sittings are not driven by motions or emotions. The issue of the municipality having submitted the accident report or not may be verified with the administrative arm of the municipality,” he said.
Moipolai failed to respond to our calls and WhatsApp messages before printing this article.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the information at their disposal confirmed that Gaoraelwe was with his ex-wife and children during the accident, however, he failed to explain why the AR suggests that he was only with one passenger.
TaungDailyNews 