ORT municipal manager remains suspended as council meeting fails to make quorum

An OR Tambo district municipality council meeting meant to rescind the suspension of municipal manager Owen Hlazo did not sit on Monday because there was no quorum.

Hlazo was suspended last week over a litany of allegations of financial mismanagement, which include making “unexplained advance” payments and alleged fraudulent payments to companies and a state owned entity.

DispatchLIVE reported at the weekend that Hlazo was accused of authorising payments of over R168m sometimes to companies who had not even lifted a finger.

The DA, UDM and EFF have confirmed Monday's virtual council meeting did not sit because of a quorum.

The opposition parties want Hlazo's suspension rescinded, saying proper processes were not followed.

This, the parties say, would result in Hlazo winning the case should it go to court.