Picture: The Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe

By OBAKENG MAJE

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) said it is concerned about the ‘wasteful’ expenses the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) continues to accumulate in its quest to appoint a new municipal manager. In February 2023, the municipality commenced its shortlisting process that took place at Protea Hotel in Klerksdorp.

However, the process was futile and it was rescheduled. According to the information, the shortlisting process was supposed to take place at Taung Depot Hall some time ago, however, that process also hit a snag. 

Now, the municipality has allegedly appointed the Director of Infrastructure, Ofentse Mogapi as the acting municipal manager after Andrew Makuapane, who was acting in that position completed six months.  

The position was left vacant after the former municipal manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi’s contract was terminated unceremoniously. 

Now, an ACDP councillor in the Greater Taung Local Municipality, Gaolatlhwe Tshipo said: “As the ACDP, we feel that the whole flawed process amount to wasteful expenditure. Remember, the overall advert cost roughly R300 000. Then, there are still claims for those who will come and form part of the panel for interviews.

“This will be the third time the municipality advertising the position. So, that means, the municipality will spend almost R1 million just on adverts. This also creates anxiety because there is no stability. Remember, the municipal manager is the signatory of some other things as the accounting officer.”

Tshipo further said, the fact that the Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe failed again to bring forward the names that the municipal council could choose from, is bad. He added that this is for the second time Gaoraelwe failed to bring forward those names.

“That means, the ruling party does not care about the interest of the masses and bringing development to their lives. So, we are concerned that there is no direction at the municipality. The municipality could have done something with that almost R1 million regarding service delivery rather than spending it only on advertising the municipal manager post,” he said.

Meanwhile, the municipal spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant failed to respond to our media inquiry, despite being given a week to do so. The response will be incorporated into the article when received.

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Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West MEC for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa said, they have suspended three employees amid the ‘irregular’ awarding of an R133 million security tender allegations. Moiloa said her department has established prima-face information that led to the suspension of these employees.

“Due to numerous complaints received by the department regarding irregularities in awarding the security tender to the projected amount of R133 million, the department has established prima-face information that led to the suspension of one senior manager and three other officials.

“These officials have been placed on a 30-day immediate precautionary suspension due to the seriousness of the allegations levelled against them. The decision to place these officials under precautionary suspension is to allow due processes to unfold as well as to respond to consequence management as required by the law,” she said.

Moiloa further said, in dealing with this matter expeditiously and efficiently, the department intends to adhere strictly to the prescribed time frames to bring the investigations to finality.

“These precautionary suspensions should serve as a deterrent to other officials in the department, who may be involved in any corrupt activities. We are serious about zero tolerance for corruption in the department. We want clean governance,” she said.

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