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The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Probe into rot at North West's Madibeng local municipality
A whistleblower's report has led to a formal probe into allegations of corruption and nepotism at Madibeng. Many years of maladministration, including allegedly unlawful appointments of officials and acts of nepotism at Madibeng local municipality in North West will come under scrutiny during a three-month investigation ordered by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa. The Citizen has, over the years, reported on many cases of alleged nepotism and unprocedural appointments of senior officials under mayor Douglas Maimane. Whistleblower raises alarm on irregular appointments The problem was also reported to the public protector several times by a concerned resident. North West MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs Oageng Molapisi is set to undertake the probe after Hlabisa's instruction. The matter was brought to the minister's attention by a whistleblower who raised alarm about endemic cases of irregular appointments of municipal officials and service providers. Spotlight on the appointment of Quiet Kgatla A prominent alleged irregular appointment was that of municipal manager, Quiet Kgatla. Attempts to have Kgatla's appointment reversed were frustrated by some councillors, apparently including Maimane, who stayed away from meetings, forcing the council not to quorate. A number of council sittings collapsed due to stayaways by some councillors when the matter was on the agenda. NOW READ: Court reinstatement of suspended Madibeng manager Quiet Kgatla Internal audit flags unqualified appointees and favouritism A recent internal risk-based audit review that found Kgatla had been irregularly appointed as he did not possess the prescribed qualifications – a bachelor's degree in public administration or political science, social sciences or law. However, the official, in addition to his matric certificate, possessed other qualifications – a BCom degree, BCom (honours) and CA (SA). The recruitment process was handled by Maimane's office. The audit expressed concern about possible favouritism or nepotism leading to questions about fairness and an equal opportunity recruitment process. The audit found that four other candidates were not shortlisted, although they met all the requirements for the position. It suggested that the matter be referred to Maimane to resolve. It was recommended that the Madibeng council reconsider Kgatla's appointment as it contravened the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act. The legislation provides for an appointment to be declared null and void if the person does not have prescribed skills, expertise, competencies or qualifications. Bypassing of supply chain processes leads to suspensions The audit also found Kgatla's appointment was done outside the corporate support services. In another case, three senior officials were suspended pending an investigation of possible misconduct. The officials, Ofentse Masilo, chief financial officer, Morufa Moloto and director of human settlements, Walter Phala, allegedly bypassed the supply chain management process and hired service providers irregularly last year. ALSO READ: North West's Madibeng municipality appeals ruling to reinstate 'suspended' official A forensic investigation recommended disciplinary action. Allegations of nepotism linked to mayor's family It was previously reported by The Citizen that Maimane allegedly hired members of his family to administrative positions in his office, including his daughter while a son was allegedly offered municipal contracts. He did not deny that his daughter was an employee in his office, but his son vehemently denied ever receiving any municipal contract. Molapisi confirmed that he had invoked Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act to investigate allegations of maladministration and malfeasance in Madibeng. He appointed a law firm to conduct the probe pertaining to irregular senior appointments and service providers. The MEC said the probe would start in three months. 'The allegations are of a serious nature and we expect councillors and officials of the municipality to cooperate and assist in providing the necessary information that will assist the investigation,' Molapisi said. He requested councillors to fully cooperate with the investigation. NOW READ: NWU eyes academic hospital as health department plans expansion
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
North West's Madibeng municipality appeals ruling to reinstate ‘suspended' official
Quiet Kgatla was put on precautionary suspension on allegations of financial misconduct. The Madibeng local municipality in the North West has lodged an appeal to the high court ruling that ordered the formerly suspended municipal manager Quiet Kgatla should return to work. Kgatla challenged his suspension and the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the suspension had expired and that Kgatla should return to duty. The court recently ruled Kgatla's precautionary suspension had lapsed in terms of the disciplinary regulations for senior managers. The court ruled that the municipality, along with the council speaker, the acting municipal manager and the mayor, must immediately allow Kgatla to resume his duties as a municipal manager. ALSO READ: Nepotism claim haunts Madibeng mayor Kgatla was put on precautionary suspension on allegations of financial misconduct after he appointed a contractor to undertake a housing building project without following the procedures this year. The court restrained the council from continuing with disciplinary proceedings on 27 June. The court also ordered the matter should not be discussed at the council meeting on 24 June, and instructed that all four respondents to pay the costs of the application. Madibeng municipality appeal In appeal papers, the municipality's legal team said the judge who granted the interdict in Kgatla' favour erred in deciding an urgent application without having considered the question of urgency at all and without having allowed the parties to argue the question of urgency. They said the court erred in relying on an incorrect statement contained in the letter of 28 March, which made a reference to a suspension that occurred on 20 February. READ MORE: North West's Madibeng municipal manager faces 'serious misconduct' probe The objective facts were against this, making it not a reasonable conclusion for a court to make. The lawyers said the court erred in entertaining the urgent application on extreme curtailed time periods, which caused recorded prejudice to the municipality, the council speaker and acting municipal manager, who were the first to third respondents respectively. 'There was no time to properly prepare and counsel for the respondents was not allowed sufficient time to argue the case. This caused procedural injustice and prejudice,' the lawyers said. Procurement irregularities Early this year, Kgatla was accused of irregularly appointing a contractor for a R11 million electrification of Damonsville in Brits. It's alleged that Kgatla appointed the supplier as an emergency measure without following the tender processes, including obtaining the mayor's permission before doing so. At the time Kgatla denied any wrongdoing, saying the whistle-blower had insufficient information and documentary proof. He said he had to act in an emergency to appoint a new contractor after Damonsville residents embarked on a violent protest on 29 January, demanding the promised electrification. NOW READ: Public protector launches probe into Madibeng mayor's office over crashed municipal bakkie
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Court reinstatement of suspended Madibeng manager Quiet Kgatla
The High Court in Pretoria has ruled in favour of Quiet Kgatla, declaring his suspension invalid and ordering his immediate return to work. Suspended Madibeng municipality boss Quiet Kgatla has been granted a court interdict against his suspension by the council and will go back to work. The High Court in Pretoria ruled Kgatla's precautionary suspension had lapsed in terms of the disciplinary regulations for senior managers. The municipality, along with the speaker, acting municipal manager and the mayor, must immediately allow Kgatla to resume his duties as a manager. Kgatla's suspension Kgatla was suspended following allegations of financial misconduct after appointing a contractor for a housing project without following due process. The ANC Bojanala regional executive committee (REC) ordered disciplinary action be taken against Kgatla. But some councillors twice did not attend council meetings where his fate was to be decided, forcing them to collapse due to a lack of quorum. The ANC North West executive committee, along with ANC national executive committee deployees Faith Muthambi, Mdu Manana and Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, endorsed the REC decision. ALSO READ: Public protector launches probe into Madibeng mayor's office over crashed municipal bakkie Kgatla then sought an urgent interdict. The court restrained the council from pursuing or continuing with disciplinary proceedings against the manager, scheduled for today. Irregular appointment Kgatla was accused of irregularly appointing a contractor for a R11 million electrification of Damonsville in Brits in the Madibeng municipality. It is alleged that Kgatla appointed the supplier as an emergency measure, without following the tender process. The ANC Bojanala recommended that Kgatla be placed on precautionary suspension with full salary pending the outcome of an independent investigation into misconduct allegations against him. The ANC provincial leadership endorsed this, but the council, led by mayor Douglas Maimane and speaker Ditshego Mbezi, refused to implement the decision. Kgatla denies allegations At the time, Kgatla denied any wrongdoing, saying the allegations levelled at him were baseless as the whistle-blower had insufficient information and documentary proof. He said he had to act to appoint a new contractor, after Damonsville residents embarked on a violent protest on 29 January, demanding the electrification promised by the municipality. NOW READ: ANC reduces Bojanala ex-mayor's suspension after appeal
