…leaves last workers standing
By Molefi Sompane
SASOLBURG – Metsimaholo Local Municipality workers were on Thursday and Friday, October 18 and 19 left shell-shocked when sheriffs arrived and impounded property worth millions from their offices over an unpaid debt.
Equipment such as office chairs, desks and computers for the local authority in the northern part of the Free State was attached and hauled away but the municipality has since said the matter has been left in the hands of its legal representatives.
Sources within the municipality tipped Public Eye that the workers could not do their work following the attachment. “We can’t work and it bothers us a lot because we are supposed to come to work and stand in the hall left empty,” the source said.
Other one added: “It is so disappointing that this happens when council is supposed to announce the new municipal manager. How is he going to start working in this kind of environment?” Public Eye learnt that the service provider (name withheld) was linked to a tender council deemed illegal and had ordered that the service provider should not be paid.
However, this is still unclear whether this relates to the ongoing disciplinary hearing against the manager of Supply Chain Bassie Motlou expected to attend a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, October 30.
Motlou is said to have called for the dismissal of the acting municipal manager Thekiso.
Motlou is accused of appointing the service provider who was not authorised by his superiors mainly the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Matshidiso Mokoena.
He has already maintained his innocence adding that his department should be an independent office which does not have to answer to any office but the council. “There are municipal regulations which have been ignored and still continue to be ignored just like I have been telling you that the matter of the case was masterminded by other people within the municipality who were pushed by political motives to have me axed,” he said.
This is not the first for Motlou to be summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee. He had already won his first battle against the municipality where he was also reimbursed by his employed for his costs. “The very same people who wanted to have me out of my job are trying another route to have me fired. I just want you to be part of the sitting so you can know why I am being suspended.”
Motlou was suspended with his full benefits three months ago and the municipality has not yet responded to the request made to it by Public Eye to be part of the sitting.
Office of the Mayor said it will respond to the matter once it has been finalised.