Johannesburg - The stability of the newly established Limpopo municipality has been thrown into disarray after an official tasked with setting it up was fired.
It was an amalgamation of three municipalities, Malumulele, Vuwani and Hlangani, which led to violent protests by residents.
Dick Mushwana, who was serving as the acting municipal manager, was fired two weeks ago - after allegations that he was arrogant and was under-spending the service delivery budget.
He was re-deployed by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) after last year’s municipal elections.
Mushwana was on a six-month contract and was due to return to his duties at the end of this month.
ANC councillors within the municipality had initially agreed to reprimand Mushwana, but it is understood that the ANC Vhembe region demanded that he be fired.
Vhembe ANC regional secretary Khathu Netshifhefhe confirmed their role in Mushwana’s sacking. “We got to know that the relationship between the acting MM (municipal manager) and councillors was not rosy and felt that it was compromising service delivery. We gave the councillors the green light to allow him to go back to Cogta,” said Netshifhefhe.
Mushwana’s axing left opposition councillors confused. It has also widened the divisions within the interim council. The Malamulele task team, which fought for the people of Malamulele to have their own municipality, wasted no time in rallying around Mushwana.
The issue was debated, with some saying Mushwana was being fired because he was not easily manipulated to give tenders to
politicians.
“If they say he was arrogant, can one define arrogance? That man (Mushwana) is very principled and works according to policies and principles, and come the next council, sparks will fly,” said one councillor.
He said many were angry with Mushwana after the workshop at Kariba Motel in Tzaneen. “Everyone wanted to claim travel money, even those who used government cars and did not have their own cars. He (Mushwana) wanted proof and registration numbers of the cars they used.”With Mushwana gone, there are now fears that corruption and the looting of public funds will occur.
Mayor Joyce Bila told a local radio station that Mushwana was not fired but sent back to his original post. However, it is understood that Bila was also not happy with the decision to fire him, since she felt he was doing a good job.“Maybe those at the new municipality should explain what happened, and it is only if they defamed me that I can come out and set the record straight,” Mushwana said.
In August last year, the municipality was officially named the Collins Chabane Local Municipality.
At the time, it consisted of 72 councillors and had an annual budget of R411 million. The ANC had 59 seats, the EFF 6, the DA 2 and the Ximoko Party and the ACDP one each.
The Limpopo department of co-operative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs was not immediately available for comment.