Mayor sacked, manager suspended, councillors dumped

The council took this decision on Tuesday (16 July) following weeks of defiance by eight ANC councillors who the party's provincial working committee had removed from the district.

The eight councillors are Vincent Dila, Daddy Moepi, Nombulelo Ngcobe, Peter Dabedi, Mpengezi Nomali, Moeder Mmota, Ntoagae Phistos and Matlhomane Kediemetse.

It is alleged that municipal manager Mokgele Mojaki and acting mayor Maria Monnana had backed the sacked councillors. The NMMDM covers Mahikeng, Ramotshere, Ratlou, Ditsobotla and Tswaing.

The public protector is allegedly investigating Mojaki for corruption, maladministration, nepotism, wasteful expenditure and victimisation of workers. The standing committee on public accounts had earlier recommended his suspension.

At Tuesday's (16 July) meeting, Tumelo Sebolecwe replaced Mojaki while Priscilla Kwanaite was appointed acting mayor.

ANC regional co-ordinator and NMMDM councillor, Bafana Tshenepe, said the eight councillors were behind an illegal council meeting two weeks ago in which they tried to defy instructions from the provincial ANC.

"Some of them colluded with Mojaki in corruption. That is why they want him to stay," Tshenepe alleged

Tshenepe said that the meeting was official with 23 councillors from the ANC and 19 from opposition parties. Mojaki denied that he was suspended while Saku refused to comment.

Source: Sowetan via I-Net Bridge