By Molefi Sompane
SASOLBURG – The saga over the suspension of Bassie Motlou Supply Chain manager at Metsimaholo Local Municipality for allegedly flouting tender regulations widened this week as some councillors are now calling for the head of his immediate boss.
Although Motlou was suspended five weeks ago on full payover a tender valued at R174 000 awarded to a service provider, councillors interviewed this week also want Chief Financial Officer (CFO) MotshidisiMokoena in the dock to answer to the same charge.
Sources at the council said this week that while Mokoena has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, Motlou was suspended on the basis of a complaint she lodged against him; accusing of insubordination.
Leaked contents of the letter to Motlou informing him of the suspension – the second time he has faced a similar charge in a year – show that Motlou was suspended for disobeying an instruction from Mokoena.
“On the17 July you failed/refused to carry out the instruction given to you by your supervisor, Ms ME Mokoena, when you failed/refused to solicit quotations for catering service for the event of career guidance scheduled for 18 to 20 July2012.
“During the period July 2012 you brought the municipality into disrepute when you madean unauthorised appointment of a service provider,IsamonIntegrated services, to render catering service for the event of career guidance scheduled for 18 to 20 July 2012.
On the 18 July you spoke to your supervisor, Ms Mokoena, in unbecoming manner when you said she must stop bothering you because you have not come to work on her account,” read the lettersigned by Acting Municipal manager, Robinson Thekisho.
But sources close to the saga said Motlouwas actually being accused of appointing the service provider without Mokoena’s approval.
The service provider was hired for catering and co-ordination of an event including catering for three days for 530 people,transport,supply of 120 bottled water,stationery and leather pouches embossed with the municipal logo.
Motlou, however, believesthere is a plan to oust him because of his view about the leadership of the ANC in the province.
“This is orchestrated by the Executive Mayor. My arrest last year which led to my suspension was concocted so that it could be used as reason for my dismissal. But was not to be because, the case was not only baseless but vexatious to a point that it could not be sustained.
When charges were withdrawn and the fact that their suspension was declared unlawful by the south African local government bargaining council, which resulted in the municipality paying me R 166,000 ordering them to up lift the suspension from the 2 May 2012.
Their plan imploded and they had to come up with something again. This is purely a politically inspired witch hunt because of the position I occupy,my stance on procurement without following procedures and my view on the leadership of the ANC in the province.”
Public Eye has also learnt that some members of Metsimaholo local council plan to vote for the suspension Mokoena for paying the same company believed to be having been appointed inappropriately.
Somecouncillors who asked for anonymity told Public Eye on Saturday, September 1that they have asked the Chief Whip Thandi Soetsang to have Mokoena suspended while investigations involving both her and Motlou are conducted.
“We have asked chief whip to talk to both acting municipal manager and Mayor BrutusMahlaku to suspend her as well because they are both involved in this saga,” said the councillor.
However,Soetsang has denied that the council is planning to meet over Mokoena, possibly to suspend her.
“We are not planning to do that. She is still coming to work as she is supposed to and I don’t know anything about the planned council meeting to vote her out of her job.”
Mean while, Motlou has maintained his innocence, adding in an interview on Saturday, September 1 that he had done nothing wrong to warrant suspension.
“I did nothing wrong. If I appointed someone unlawfully, why did the CFO pay the illegitimate provider? If that’s what I did as per the charge why didn’t she withhold payment and investigate me first?” asked Motlou.
Gino Albert’s of Metsimaholo in an interview on Wednesday, September 5 said the municipality had appointed a panel to look into the matter. “We have appointed a presiding officer over Mrv Motlou’s hearing. We envisage completing the matter within three months,” he said. Ngwathe Municipal Manager Advocate Thabo Mokoena (pictured) will chair the hearing.