Map moves to oust municipal manager

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – The executive mayor of Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality Gilbert Mokotso has announced that the contract of Municipal Manager Futhuli Mothamaha expires at the end of October and the post will be advertised.

Mokotso said this during a special council sitting at Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Hall where the matter relating to the suspension of Mothamaha who is accused of corruption, fraud and contravention of MFA was discussed. He has since been released on bail of R500 000 with one of his bail conditions prohibiting him from entering the municipality.

Mothamaha is alleged to have committed the crime when he authorised a contract of R58 million to Kill Crime Security company on May 19, 2022 without following proper processes of advertising the tender. His co-accused, the directors of Kill Crime Security company Thabiso Sekhosana and his daughter Dimakatso Sekhosana both were released on Monday August 01, on bail of R150 000 each. All are expected back in court on September 30, 2022.

Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality has since appointed Basie Ungerer, the director of infrastructure to act as municipal manager until this week Thursday. This after Mokotso told the council that the municipal manager was not present because he was attending his court case and  while waiting to hear the developments regarding his bail hearing, he suggested that Ungerer act as  municipal manager until the next council sitting on Thursday. His suggestion was supported

Council  Chief whip Moeketsi Lebesa outlined the processes that must be followed pertaining to the absence of the municipal manager whose contract ends on October 2022.

“As chief whips we have agreed that the municipal manager be given a precautional leave while waiting for the process of court to unfold. Then after that, depending on the charges, we will write him a letter notifying him of council’s intention to suspend him and then we will wait for his response. Then we will take a decision depending on his response,” Lebesa explained.

Lebesa further told the council that in the meantime executive mayor would have consulted with the MEC for Cogta on the matter pertaining to the vacuum in the office of municipal manager.

Another matter expected to be dealt with when the council resumes on Thursday include the appointment of four directors for the following departments, Corporate Services, Local Economic Development, Community Services and Public Safety, Transport and Protection Services.