DA Limpopo seeks investigation into FTLM Municipal Manager matter

BURGERSFORT – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has announced that it would write to Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs MEC, Basikopo Makamu to investigate the involvement of Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) Mayor, Eddie Maila and Council Speaker Vincent Shoba in the “unlawful quest to get rid of Municipal Manager Mogaramedi Makgata following yet another unfavourable court ruling against the municipality”.

According to the DA, the Limpopo High Court order on 3 June to set aside a council ruling to nullify the cautionary suspension of the municipal manager and prohibit council from taking any further disciplinary processes against the municipal manager until the final determination of the review application vindicates the party’s long-standing position.

Marie Helm, DA Political Head for FTLM, said the chaos around the municipal manager’s suspension started in October 2024, when he was placed on cautionary suspension following dubious claims of misconduct.

Helm stated that a series of questionable council resolutions ensued, which the DA either opposed or was prevented to oppose through the speaker’s “disregard of the rules”.

“The court found that the disciplinary process was fatally flawed from the start and ordered that the initial council resolution must be reviewed. Throughout the process, it was clear that Mayor Maila is a law unto himself,” asserted Helm.

Helm further said that at the time, and to avoid wasteful legal expenditure, the lawyers for the municipal manager wrote to the lawyers of the municipality, outlining the current legal position and case law; which was outright rejected.

“Even with the latest judgements in hand, Mayor Maila refused the municipal manager entry to the premises and went as far as to send out a notice warning officials not to communicate with the municipal manager. Following the court ruling, the council defiantly resolved to appeal; again the DA objected against this folly and warned against costs against council and councillors in their personal capacity,” claimed Helm.

Helm added that the residents of FTLM continue to bear the brunt of senseless legal costs; like the desperate Frans Park residents who have been without electricity for 21 years.

“The DA will submit questions on the legal costs pertaining to this witch hunt – someone must be held accountable for the ANC’s total disregard of the rule of law,” concluded Helm.

When asked for a comment, FTLM Spokesperson, Mahlako Komane, could not respond to the publication’s enquiries.