Daily Archives: March 7, 2024

Opinion: ‘Alleged dubious appointment of Municipal Manager at Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality a thorny issue’  

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Picture: A concerned resident, Norman Moncho

By NORMAN MONCHO

I must confess upfront that I am neither a legal guru or a para-legal expert in any legal field or whatsoever. However, that in no way precludes me, as a concerned bona-fide resident of Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality, from entering the fray as far as the topic at hand is concerned.

This whole “hot potato” web-like entangled debacle, begs a million-dollar question: “WHO IS FOOLING WHO?” in what looks like a somewhat well calculated and ill-timed political ploy equivalent to a “A SCHOOL BOY CHECKMATE MOVE IN A CHESS GAME”. In this whole dramatic U-turn twist of unfolding scenarios, is the amount of public interests generated by this burning issue.

My personal take on the issue in question (two cents worth, if you might judge it) is basically from a layman perspective. It is common course that in the event a vacancy exists for the position of a Municipal Manager, the affected council in line with its adopted “RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION POLICY” subsequently develops an “ACTION PLAN” as a guiding road map towards the filling of that vacant post.

I have no slightest doubt that the step-by-step processes of that Action Plan (outlining specific time-bound tasks), was followed to the latter by the institution concerned. Of key importance and particular interest amongst those requirements, was COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES report as conducted by the duly independent GIJIMA.

For each of the shortlisted/appointable candidates of the 11 applicants, three were reportedly shortlisted and subsequently interviewed for the position of the Municipal Manager. Reference is drawn to copies of competency assessment reports purportedly from Gijima (assumed to be legitimate and true reflection documents in my view) for two of the three interviewed candidates, competency assessment report for Mr Eric Gaborone, clearly stated he is suitably qualified to be appointed in any of senior managerial positions below Municipal Manager post based on his overall scores (rated as “BASIC”). Competency assessment report for Mr Tshepo Bloom, clearly stated that he performed satisfactorily and based on his overall performance was thus suitably qualified for appointment as Municipal Manager (rated as “Competent”).

NB: As to how the constituted Shortlisting/ Interview Panel (either by OMISSION or COMMISSION) turned a blind eye to this discrepancy of note, leaves much to be desired. One is therefore inclined to state without fear of contradiction that the interview panel’s final report with recommendations on suitability of the three candidates (in order of preference) tabled before Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality council, was a PRE-LOBBIED DONE DEAL.

NB: Councillors were, in fact, sold a dummy and lured into endorsing the report) oblivious of the fine print inputs from Gijima. It is vividly apparent that submission of “swapped” interviews documents (included a FAKE or TEMPERED competency assessment report, denoting changed report from Basic to Competent) to the NW Department of Local Government seeking the CONSENT of the MEC tantamount to MISREPRESENTATION OF FACTS.

Authenticity of the two competency assessment reports for the very one and same candidate (currently appointed as MM) as purportedly issued by Gijima is now a subject of litigation. As to who solely manufactured the other seemingly tampered or fake competency assessment rating Mr E. Gaborone’s overall performance as “Competent” remains to be seen.

The letter of the MEC for Local Government, Human Settlement, and Traditional Affairs, calling for REVOCATION OF COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON DISPUTED APPOINTMENT OF KMLM MUNICIPAL MANAGER in my own view is pro-actively legally sound and rational, rather than being reactive as others might think. Should the MEC wait for the COURT OF LAW to pronounce itself on this matter? (my answer is a big NO)

What is it that KMLM is supposed to do now to save itself from imminent humiliation and embarrassment in the face of this unfolding saga? The simple route is to convene an urgent Special Council sitting, resolve not to defend this wrong-doing in court (with legal costs), rescind the council resolution on the fraudulent appointment of the current MM and endorse Mr Tshepo Bloom as a duly deserving appointable candidate for MM position of KMLM.

Failure to do this will result in the municipality having to incur huge financial costs (salary plus benefits for the remaining term of office) likely to be claimed by Mr T. Bloom as he was unfairly prejudiced. I rest my case Norman Moncho Concerned resident KMLM.

(Note: Mr Norman Moncho is an ordinary resident of Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality and views shared here, does not represent Taung DailyNews nor its associate. They remain the views of the author and Taung DailyNews does not agree nor disagree with them)  

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North West govt gets R53 billion budget for 2024/25 financial year 

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Picture: North West MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

North West MEC for Treasury, Motlalepula Rosho said the provincial fiscal framework consists of equitable share, conditional grants and own revenue is amounting to R53.700 billion for the 2024/25 financial year, R55.086 billion for the 2025/26 financial year and R57.348 billion for the 2026/27 financial year. 

Rosho said this culminates into a total allocation of R166.134 billion over the MTEF. She further said the social cluster, consisting of Education, Health, Human Settlements, Social Development, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, is allocated an amount of R42.842 billion in 2024/25. 

She added that, the North West Department of Education receives R21.932 billion, Health is allocated R16.522 billion, Human Settlements’ budget is R1.826 billion, Social Development allocation amounts to R1.811 billion, whilst Arts, Culture, Sports & Recreation receives R750.401 million.

“Within these allocations, the special provisions are made for construction and maintenance of health facilities, the province will be spending an amount of R705.561 million through Health Facility Revitalisation Grant in the 2024/25 financial year. An amount of R1.6 billion is allocated for medicine and medical supplies.

“This allocation will ensure that people of the North West, have access to medicine and medical supplies as and when they visit hospitals and clinics. An amount of R1.304 billion is allocated for Education Infrastructure Grant, to fast-track the implementation of school infrastructure,” said Rosho. 

She said this will include the elimination of backlogs with the focus of increasing classes, improving sanitation at schools by building toilets, that provide learners with adequate and dignified sanitation. Rosho said the budget of R702.874 million has been allocated for the delivery of Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM), inclusive of stationery, textbooks and workbooks to 1445 schools and 32 public special schools around the province for 2024/24 financial year. 

“An amount of R664.104 million is allocated for the National School Nutrition Programme to benefit 750 000 learners annually, where breakfast will be introduced to certain schools in the most disadvantaged communities.

“The Sanitary Dignity Programme (SDP) is allocated an amount of R19.341 million in 2024/25 to support over 252 000 learners’ in quintiles 1 to 3 schools as well as in special schools. This programme provides girls with uninterrupted education and instils confidence and self-esteem allowing them to reach their full potential,” she said. 

Rosho said social welfare services to the communities, including services to people with disabilities, as well as for implementing social behaviour programmes, is allocated an amount of R270.088 million. She said the largest share of this allocation is funding earmarked for Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), amounting to R240.088 million. 

“An amount of R155 million is allocated to transform community library services mainly for previously disadvantaged communities. An amount of R1.556 billion is for development of houses and servicing of the sites through the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) and Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant (ISUP). 

“Due to the reduction to the HSDG and ISUP funding over the MTEF and increasing need for housing coupled with backlogs in this sector, the Executive Council has endorsed a process to solicit R2 billion through front-loading/pledging of future Human Settlements grants,” said Rosho.

She said the pledging will be done in line with the Borrowing Powers of Provincial Government Act 48 of 1996 read together with the Division of Revenue Act in an effort to aggressively expand housing delivery in the face of pending grants reduction.

Rosho said the Economic Cluster consisting of Public Works & Roads, Agriculture and Rural Development and Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, has been allocated a consolidated budget amounting to R6.224 billion in 2024/25.

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Sambatha: “There is improvement in medical distribution systems’

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Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha accompanied by Boniswa Mekgoe (Local Area Manager), Emily Mooketsi (Operational Manager) and ⁠Lekgotla Mokotedi (the Moses Kotane Health Sub-District Manager) during a recent oversight visit to one of the district pharmacies/Supplied
 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

North West MEC for Helath, Madoda Sambatha has commended progress made by the intervention team he appointed last year, to investigate medicine availability in the province. Sambatha said the intervention team started its work immediately and begun to intensify at the beginning of this year. 

He further said the intervention team that boasts expertise from various disciplines in the department, is co-led by the DDG for Hospital and Clinical Support Services, as well as DDG for District Health Services. Sambatha added that to date, the work of this team has been to assess and intervene. 

“Among others, the pharmaceutical supply chain issues, systems effectiveness, distribution and delivery processes, storage capacity, human resources capacity and on safety issues. This assessment has been conducted across the province starting at the Mmabatho Medical Depot and moving into to the pharmacies in hospitals and clinics. 

“This extensive work is beginning to yield positive results that will lead to effective distribution of pharmaceutical products and medicine in the province. The intervention has immediately resulted with improved communication between the medical depot and pharmacy managers in health facilities,” he said. 

Sambatha said, this is important for speedy resolution of any bottlenecks in the distribution and delivery of medicine between the depot and health facilities. He said the payment of suppliers has remained a priority and the Finance Unit has assisted the team by making good progress on payments of supplier accounts.

“The unit continues to investigate and intervene when suppliers indicate account status to the pharmacies. This led to increased number of deliveries from suppliers to the depot and increased direct deliveries to pharmacies from contracted companies, as well as deliveries of main orders, allocation of orders and emergency orders from the depot to the pharmacies.

“In commending the work of the intervention team, we expect the team to stabilise the availability and distribution of medicine in the province as soon as possible then return the service to normal operation. I am pleased with the progress noting that, item levels are gradually increasing,” said Sambatha.

He said his department has noted and support the recommendations of the latest report, which include among others, improving on turn around time for distribution of stock from Mmabatho Medical Stores to pharmacies and to improve on turn around time for redistribution of stock between the health facilities. Sambatha said the intervention team has also identified short to long term plans like establishing mini-depots in the districts and opening of bulk pharmacies closer to the facilities.

“Ventersdorp Bulk Pharmacy is expected to be handed over soon, which will improve medicine storage and distribution capacity in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. The intervention team is also undertaking benchmarking exercises, which will help with identifying best practices and coming back to implement the best possible solutions for the province,” he said.

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