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Johannesburg - A troubled North West municipality irregularly appointed a councillor’s wife to a managerial position in its information technology division, despite her highest qualification being a call centre certificate.
It is also alleged that the municipal manager’s highest qualification is a teaching diploma, while a chief financial officer was appointed just before he was fired from a provincial department over tender irregularities.
These alleged irregular appointments were made at the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in Lichtenburg.
Another controversial appointment was that of the wife of a former mayor who was appointed as a labour officer even though she allegedly did not have the relevant qualifications and experience.
Ditsobotla councillor Isaac Mokgosi Mogonediwa’s wife, Mosadiotsile Emah Mokaleng, was appointed system administration controller in the IT department on February 1.
This is a managerial position with a salary of R227 472 and requires the employee to be responsible for maintaining and operating the municipality’s computer system or network.
Now a faction of ANC councillors in the municipality has questioned if Mokaleng can meet the job requirements.
The Star has seen copies of Mokaleng’s matric certificate obtained in 1995 and a call centre certificate obtained from Cornerstone College in 2004.
Ditsobotla Municipality was recently placed under administration by North West. The province said the action was taken after it was established that the “municipalities (including Matlosana and Maquassi Hills municipalities) were dysfunctional in certain areas, and needed to be supported and strengthened to rescue them from collapse”.
This happened less than three months after Ditsobotla mayor Lesego Holele returned to the helm following her unseating in a motion of no confidence, which was supported by several ANC councillors.
Insiders said this was a politically motivated move by councillors aligned to a particular ANC faction in the province linked to the party’s chairman Supra Mahumapelo.
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe visited the area and declared Holele the mayor. But the party’s orders for Holele to be reinstated fell on deaf ears. Holele remained out in the cold while councillor Molefe Morutse, who had been elected to the position, tightened his grip on the mayoral seat.
Sources claim these irregular appointments occurred while Morutse was at the helm.
According to the sources, who did not want to be named for fear of victimisation, Morutse’s wife Mpho was appointed labour relations officer on December 3, 2012 and received a managerial salary of R227 472 a year amid allegations that she did not have the qualifications for the position.
Mpho, 30, had been running a catering company when she was appointed.
The municipal manager, Justin Bhine, was also allegedly appointed irregularly. He was originally seconded to act as municipal manager for three months while the post was advertised.
Holele, who was part of the interview panel, said 21 people applied for the job and Bhine was not among them. She said that of the 21, three were interviewed and recommendations made. Before the appointment could be made, Holele was ousted as mayor.
Bhine, who has a teaching diploma, was appointed municipal manager less than a month after Holele was ousted.
In another controversial appointment, Ditsobotla’s chief financial officer, Leeto Dintwe, was appointed while on suspension for misconduct related to the awarding of a R90 million road tender.
Bhine has failed to respond to queries.
poloko.tau@inl.co.za
The Star
