The Freedom Front Plus called for Tshwane mayor Gwen Ramogkopa to be probed after allegations on Wednesday that she suspended the municipal manager to prevent him from querying the awarding of lucrative tenders.
“An independent investigation must be launched very fast against the mayor. There is a stink in this story...She must tell residents if she is guilty or not,” said FF Plus spokesperson Philip van Straden.
A report by the Pretoria News on Wednesday said that suspended city manager Kiba Kekana wrote a letter on February 12 where he accused Ramokgopa of bowing to pressure from the African National Congress' Tshwane regional executive committee.
In the letter, Kekana claims that Ramokgopa was given seven days by the regional ANC to remove him from office and therefore allowing an acting municipal manager to approve tenders worth millions.
Kekana was suspended in October and former Truth and Reconciliation commissioner Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza was asked to investigate the allegations.
Last week Ntsebeza told Sapa that he had completed his investigations into the allegations of maladministration, irregularities and misconduct and handed it into the mayor on June 4. However, the report has never been released.
City of Tshwane spokesperson Console Tleane could not give comment on the allegations or on when the report will be released, except to say the council will “appropriately” respond to allegations and other matters at a later stage.
“It is prudent for the institution to withhold comment until the matter is concluded. We will do so upon conclusion of the matter with the City Manager.”
Meanwhile. Van Straden said the FF Plus will, after consultation with its councillors, take necessary action against Ramokgopa and force her to release the report. -
Sapa