By OBAKENG MAJE
23 July 2025- According to the document that is making rounds on various social media platforms, the senior managers at the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) have increased their salaries to the total amount of R651 994.47. It is alleged that the Municipal Manager, Andrew Makuapane who was appointed in 2023 and getting a total package of R1 157 694.72 per annum before a waiver, will be getting R1 423 102.72 per annum after a waiver.
Tebogo Motase, who was appointed as Director of Community Services and allegedly getting a total package of R913 969 per annum before waiver, will be getting R1 168 441.04 per annum after waiver. Taelo Makgolo, who was appointed as Director of Corporate Services in 2024, and is allegedly getting a total package of R950 527.76 per annum before a waiver, will be getting a total package of R1 168 441.04 per annum after a waiver.
Ofentse Mogapi who was appointed as Director of Technical Services back in 2024, and is allegedly getting a total package of R950 527.76 per annum before a waiver, will be getting a total package of R1 168 441.04 per annum after a waiver. It is alleged that the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Neo Dibelane, who was appointed in 2024 and getting R950 527.76 per annum before a waiver, will be getting R1 168 441.04 per annum after a waiver.
However, Patriotic Alliance (PA) councillor at the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Mosadiotsile Letele said, they will open a criminal case against the implicated individuals because this is equivalent to theft.
“We have reported this matter to the Standing Committee of Public Accounts (SCOPA) in the North West Provincial Legislature. We have also reported the matter to the North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA). We have exonerated ourselves from this madness.
“What they have done is illegal and equal to theft. This decision came after these officials realised that there are Unit Managers from Reivilo earning higher than them. Remember, Taung is a rural municipality that is heavily dependent on Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG),” she said.
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said the municipal council is aware of the proposal. Oliphant said the matter was presented to the council on 3 December 2025, when council authorised ‘application for waiver and adjustment of senior managers’ salaries depending on affordability.
“The municipal council, North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, and Minister of COGTA, Velenkosini Hlabisa were engaged either through presentation of the item or formal letters. The letter was written to Molapisi on 4 February 2025, to request support for waiver of Senior Managers’ salary packages.
“The letter was subsequently written to Hlabisa to request an approval of the waiver. The Minister’s response (granting approval depending on affordability and other liquidity factors) was received on 22 April and 5 June 2025. This was done in order to initiate parity in the remuneration of Senior Managers and Unit Managers in the institution,” he said.
Meanwhile, Molapisi spokesperson, Lerato Gambu said: “We can confirm that the MEC had received a letter from the municipality providing reasons and a resolution of council supporting the waiver for the said officials. MEC has supported the request for a waiver under the conditions that service delivery must not be compromised as a result of the waiver, all the documents or information required is submitted to the Minister when the application is made for the Minister to make an informed decision. This includes salary adjustment that is not effected before the Minister approves the application for a waiver.”
The Guardian 