Picture: F4SD councillor, Merriam Mosiako/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) has suspended its councillor, Merriam Mosiako with immediate effect. This comes after Mosiako and her son, Tshegofatso Mosiako were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team for allegedly soliciting R100 000 from a service provider.
Mosiako is the chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) at the City of Matlosana. According to the F4SD chairperson in North West, Sechaba Sekhoto, the decision to suspend Mosiako was taken at a meeting held on 28 August 2023.
“The decision is in line with the F4SD Constitution. Mosiako’s suspension will remain in effect until the final outcome of a disciplinary investigation to be conducted by the provincial leadership. She has been suspended from her roles as a PFEC member and the councillor.
“During this period of suspension, Mosiako is not permitted to carry out the duties and responsibilities of her office as PFEC member and F4SD councillor. Not allowed to represent the organisation publicly or in any other forum,” said Sekhoto.
He further said Mosiako is also not allowed to make public pronouncements on matters related to the organisation, or engage in the mobilisation of F4SD structures or any other organisations or individuals. Sekhoto added that, Mosiako is not allowed to contact members or leadership of F4SD at any level of structures.
“As F4SD, we take allegations of corruption extremely seriously. We remain committed to our core principles of transparency, integrity, and accountability. We urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations, and we commend the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) for their vigilance in tackling corruption,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus leader in the City of Matlosana, Johannes Le Grange said they welcome Mosiako’s arrest.
“The DA welcomes the arrest of Mosiako after a sting operation by the police, where she was caught extorting money from a service provider, Molahlwa Investment Holdings.
“This arrest occurred two weeks after the DA opened a case with the Hawks to investigate the irregular appointment of Molahlwa Investment Holdings for the rental of 10 refuse removal trucks for three months under emergency Regulation 36 of the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations,” he said.
Le Grange said the arrest of Mosiako also comes at a time when opposition parties were preparing to table several reports on contracts that were irregularly awarded, which will definitely trigger a new wave of investigations.
He said as DA, they will closely monitor the court proceedings of Mosiako, including the possible involvement of municipal officials and other councillors to ensure that, justice is served for the people of Matlosana.
Meanwhile, The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Col Tinyiko Mathebula said the corruption case against Mosiako and her son was postponed to 9 November 2023. Mathebula said the duo was granted R15 000 and R1000 bail respectively.
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