The Citizen reports that the ongoing political disagreements among councillors at Madibeng local municipality in North West has resulted in the unprocedural appointment of an acting municipal manager.

Defying a council decision, council speaker Ditshego Mbedzi unilaterally appointed Motlalekgomo Mmope as acting municipal manager. Mbedzi allegedly took Mmope instead of Moruti Tsotetsi, the candidate recommended earlier by council. But, Mbedzi was adamant that she had the power to make the appointment, despite the Municipal Systems Act of 2000 stipulating that a municipal council must appoint a municipal manager or acting municipal manager. Madibeng municipality had had no municipal manager for several years. Even Mmope was acting when her contract expired on 5 July this year. But Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Jan van Rhyn is not standing for Mmope’s irregular appointment and has challenged Mbedzi on her unilateral decision to appoint Mmope. He supported the council decision taken at a special council meeting on 8 July that Tsotetsi be appointed as acting municipal manager. The council decided that Tsotetsi would be acting municipal manager pending the appointment of a permanent manager or the secondment of an acting municipal manager. In terms of the law, MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Lenah Miga should second an official to do the job.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Eric Naki at The Citizen (subscriber access only)

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