By OBAKENG MAJE
The former employee of Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) and a whistle-blower, Thuso Bloem might get justice after 11 years. Bloem, who was working at the embattled municipality as a senior admin clerk, was allegedly dismissed in 2012 after lifting a lid on the alleged corruption that was taking place at the municipality.
However, Bloem reported this matter to the Public Protector’s office. The matter was ruled in his favour and the Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s remedial action gave the municipality three months to reinstate Bloem and pay him all the money he would have received since 2012, had he not been dismissed.
Mkhwebane also instructed the municipality to look into strategic measures that will efficiently address employees’ disclosures.
Recently, the municipality appeared before the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs after it failed dismally to implement the recommendations of the Public Protector.
The Portfolio Committee chairperson, Aaron Mocwana said, this matter was brought to their attention through a petition. Mocwana further said, this is a long outstanding matter and the municipality should just indicate how speedily it can deal with the matter.
“I became so surprised and shocked that every leader being the Premiers, MECs, Mayors, and political leaders in various formations have come across this particular matter, but failed to address it.
“We have also visited the municipality with our legal team to verify issues raised by Bloem. This matter dated back as far as 2011 waring a certain municipality manager seconded to the municipality by the former Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the late Sicelo Shiceka,” he said.
Mocwana further said, the former municipal manager has allegedly misused the funds of the council in various ways. He added that, there is evidence attached by the former mayor to suspend the former municipal manager, Mpho Mofokeng.
“What is surprising is that, the municipal council managed to use the same information it received from the whistle-blower to suspend the former municipal manager, but failed to protect him.
“We want to understand, why the Public Protector’s findings were not implemented. Bloem’ suspension was irregular because he was suspended by Mofokeng, who was also in suspension,” said Mocwana.
He said the allegations raised by Bloem from SAMWU, were utilized by the municipal council against the former Municipal Managers, Meokgo Matuba and Mpho Mofokeng. Mocwana said it is alleged that Mofokeng spent R56 000 of the municipal council to fix his damaged car and irregularly awarded the tender worth R188 000 to someone ‘bearing’ the same name as himself.
“Mofokeng also allegedly hired a car, while he was still receiving a travelling allowance. These allegations including of Lazarus Mofokeng, who is alleged to be the cousin of Mofokeng, were utilized to suspend the former municipal manager.
“The municipal council should not just deal with this matter in the simplest form, but should also take responsibility, which we will put in writing. It is a glaring case, where people are powers unto themselves. The municipality was supposed to either allow this person to come back to work or reach an agreement,” said Mocwana.
He also suggested that, the municipality should take Bloem in for a psychological assessment because he does not look fine.
Meanwhile, the municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said: “The report that we brought before the committee, was just to indicate that the municipality has decided to take the Public Protector’s findings regarding this case into a review. However, we think it will be a futile exercise after you have summed it up.
“I must say as the leadership of the municipality that, what the former municipal employee has been put through is degrading. However, it must be understood that this particular case has never been taken to council.”
Gaoraelwe said they were only made aware of this case as part of the cases that were on the list of litigation registrar at the municipality. He said, they do not see any problem going and revoking Bloem’s irregular suspension and enforcing the reinstatement.
The Guardian 