A council committee has ordered two top Makana politicians to explain in writing why they should not be suspended over accusations of violating the municipal code of conduct.
ANC Mayor Zamuxolo Peter and speaker Rachel Madinda-Isaac had not yet responded to the committee’s request, municipal spokeswoman Yoliswa Ramakolo said late last week.
She said the specially formed committee was made up of three ANC councillors and one each from the DA and COPE.
Ramakolo said copies of the Kabuso forensic report, in which the allegations against the two are made, could be obtained from administrator Pam Yako’s office at the municipality now that the council had adopted the report.
“The council noted with concern that earlier versions of the report were in the public domain and resolved that the continued confidential classification of the report created a lot of speculation and rumour mongering and did not augur well for clean governance,” said Ramakolo.
“Officials of Makana local municipality who are implicated in the report shall be dealt with in terms of the administrative processes relating to the disciplinary code of conduct and relevant regulations and prescripts.”
Although the statement said acting municipal manager Busi Khumalo had been appointed to take action against officials implicated in the report, it added the local authority did not have the legal capacity to deal with the outcomes.
“The administrator is currently soliciting support from co-operative governance and traditional affairs for legal capacity support and advice on how best to implement the council resolutions on of the report.”
The report by auditing firm Kabuso was kept secret last year and reportedly alleged several serious irregularities around payments and appointments of officials.
Although the report implicated senior ANC leaders, councillors and officials in wrongdoing, none of the allegations has been tested in court or in disciplinary hearings.
Grahamstown Residents Association secretary Jock McConnachie yesterday said although the official release of the report was long overdue they welcomed the decision to make it public.
“We also welcome the formation of the ad-hoc committee and that it includes opposition members.
“The explanations as required by the committee from those implicated in the report, including Makana’s mayor and speaker, are awaited with interest. They have much to answer for and it is difficult to imagine that they will see out their current terms. ”
Makana Civil Society Coalition (MCSC) convener Jonathan Walton also welcomed the decision to release the report and appoint a sub-committee to investigate allegations.
“The MCSC appeals to the acting municipal manager to use the rule of law without fear or favour,” he said. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Probe into Makana allegations
ANC Mayor Zamuxolo Peter and speaker Rachel Madinda-Isaac had not yet responded to the committee’s request, municipal spokeswoman Yoliswa Ramakolo said late last week.
She said the specially formed committee was made up of three ANC councillors and one each from the DA and COPE.
Ramakolo said copies of the Kabuso forensic report, in which the allegations against the two are made, could be obtained from administrator Pam Yako’s office at the municipality now that the council had adopted the report.
“The council noted with concern that earlier versions of the report were in the public domain and resolved that the continued confidential classification of the report created a lot of speculation and rumour mongering and did not augur well for clean governance,” said Ramakolo.
“Officials of Makana local municipality who are implicated in the report shall be dealt with in terms of the administrative processes relating to the disciplinary code of conduct and relevant regulations and prescripts.”
Although the statement said acting municipal manager Busi Khumalo had been appointed to take action against officials implicated in the report, it added the local authority did not have the legal capacity to deal with the outcomes.
“The administrator is currently soliciting support from co-operative governance and traditional affairs for legal capacity support and advice on how best to implement the council resolutions on of the report.”
The report by auditing firm Kabuso was kept secret last year and reportedly alleged several serious irregularities around payments and appointments of officials.
Although the report implicated senior ANC leaders, councillors and officials in wrongdoing, none of the allegations has been tested in court or in disciplinary hearings.
Grahamstown Residents Association secretary Jock McConnachie yesterday said although the official release of the report was long overdue they welcomed the decision to make it public.
“We also welcome the formation of the ad-hoc committee and that it includes opposition members.
“The explanations as required by the committee from those implicated in the report, including Makana’s mayor and speaker, are awaited with interest. They have much to answer for and it is difficult to imagine that they will see out their current terms. ”
Makana Civil Society Coalition (MCSC) convener Jonathan Walton also welcomed the decision to release the report and appoint a sub-committee to investigate allegations.
“The MCSC appeals to the acting municipal manager to use the rule of law without fear or favour,” he said. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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