By OBAKENG MAJE
The newly-elected municipal speaker at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Kealeboga Seboko said they hope the intervention that will be brought forward by the North West MEC for Cooperative, Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi will be in line with the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000.
Maloyi had a consultative engagement with the GTLM councillors at Pudimoe Community Hall on 16 January 2024 inquest to bring intervention. This comes after the municipality turned into a “butt of jokes” for having not one, but two mayors, two municipal speakers, and two chief whips, all from the ANC.
“We had a consultative engagement with Maloyi and what we are waiting to hear from him is the recommendation from all challenges we presented to him. We hope that the recommendations will be in line with the Municipal Act.
“At the end of the day, the municipal council is the statutory body that makes its own decisions, although he has the right to give advice and bring intervention if need be. His intervention comes after he received a letter from the former municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai due to some challenges experienced at the municipality,” he said.
Seboko said if what they raised found expression earlier, the municipality would not be in this predicament.
Maloyi said he received information that there is instability in the municipality, hence his visit. He said what is happening in the municipality is shocking because they do not want any political or administrative instability in any municipality across the province.
“So, this one came as a shock, hence I came here. I wanted to understand why people are behaving in the manner in which they are behaving. I allowed councillors to interact with me and I listened to them.
“They have raised about 29 points, which we have noted. So this morning, I’ll be meeting with my legal team for us to discuss what kind of intervention can be implemented at this institution,” he said.
Maloyi further said once they have done so, then he will go to the executive council and recommend the appropriate action that must be taken. He added that he hopes all this happens before the end of this week.
F4SD councillor, Mika Moeti alleged that what is happening at the municipality are individuals who are serving the interests of warring factions. Moeti said they have reflected on critical challenges within the municipality and their challenges started when they were dealing with the appointment of the municipal manager position.
“We urge Maloyi to go deeper into this matter and do forensic investigations. All other issues that people raised were economical with Maloyi. There are serious challenges related to finance, investment accounts and it is imperative to investigate such.
“So, we believe that Maloyi will make recommendations. Also, those who posed themselves to different positions such as mayoral, chief whip and speaker positions are doing that for personal interests,” he said.
“However, we call them to desist from that and have the interest of the people at heart. The MEC must bring stability to the municipality.”
Gaoraelwe spokesperson, Crespo Menyatso said: “What is important is that we must appreciate the fact that Maloyi availed himself to listen to the challenges the municipality has. Now, the ball is in his court and we must allow that process to be ventilated.
“I was also told that Maloyi will cast his net wider and probe all widespread allegations raised during the meeting. So, we must allow him that particular space. I think the municipal council will also subject itself to that particular decision.”
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