Acting MM in hot water

By Masilo Malakwane

QWAQWA- Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality’s newly appointed acting municipal manager, Soso Sepheka, could find herself in hot water over claims of nepotism and an irregular salary level increase.

This after municipal workers accused her of parachuting her husband’s salary level and those of eight other officials without following proper procedures.
Service delivery was abruptly interrupted last week Friday when these angry workers learnt that there were promotions that were conducted behind closed doors. They stormed the municipal offices throwing garbage in the corridors, baying for Sepheka’s blood as they demanded her immediate removal from her position as acting municipal manager.

Unions in the municipality have expressed shock and disappointment in the acting municipal manager, and have since vowed to down tools until their grievances are addressed.
The secretary of IMATU, Edwin Lecheko said they won’t tolerate acts of corruption and fraud to thrive while workers continue to be exploited by the employer.

“We’re very disappointed. We had an agreement with the employer to sort out issues pertaining to salary levels and proper appointments, but to our surprise some workers are being treated as more important than others,” s Lecheko said.

SAMWU regional deputy secretary, Tankiso Motaung, shared these sentiments, indicating they’ve been fighting inequality and favouritism for years in this municipality.

“In our previous meetings with the executive mayor and the employer, we were told to patiently wait until this municipality resolved its internal issues.
“We were surprised to learn that Sepheka’s husband salary level has been increased,” Motaung said.

Meanwhile, executive mayor Gilbert Mokotso addressed the workers on Monday morning and promised that this matter will be attended to and be treated as a matter of urgency, as it has already created conflicts among workers.

“We will request an urgent council sitting with the Speaker to resolve this crisis” Mokotso said.