SowetanLive reports that chaos erupted at the Madibeng local municipality, in North West, when the suspended municipal manager returned to work only to be forcefully removed from office by security guards on Thursday.

Quiet Kgatla was suspended on 27 March, just three months after his appointment, but returned to work because his 30-day suspension period had expired and the council had not acted on a disciplinary board’s report. Kgatla’s arrival at work resulted in some questioning about whether the municipality had two municipal managers, namely Kgatla and acting municipal manager Daniel Masemola. However, municipality spokesperson Tumelo Tshabalala said Kgatla was still on suspension, adding they were reporting to Masemola. “The substantive municipal manager is still on suspension until after the investigation on the allegations has been finalised or the suspension lifted by the council,” Tshabalala said. Kgatla commented: “The reason I went to work is that the investigation was unlawful from the beginning. They did not allow me to make representations as to why I believe I should not be suspended. As far as I’m concerned, the report does not exist because no decision has been made on it.” Kgatla faces several allegations of misconduct, irregular procurement processes, and the withdrawal of R15m from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) in December to pay for security services. However, the money was put back into the MIG account in January. A disciplinary board report dated 9 May recommends that the council appoint an independent investigator to conduct a full investigation. The council has not yet adopted the report.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jeanette Chabalala at SowetanLive

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page