The Council of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality last Friday appointed Benjamin Mathebula as the acting municipal manager and Sam Lelope as Director for Electrical Engineering
The appointment of Mathebula for a period not exceeding three months is due to the resignation of Republic Monakedi who is joining Mopani District Municipality as the Municipal Manager.
Monakedi’s resignation was accepted by the council and will serve notice until April 13.
Mathebula who is the current Director for Planning and Economic Development in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality will start acting as municipal manager from April 18.
Mathebula who matriculated at Charles Mathonsi High School in Dan Village holds a Masters Degree in Developmental Studies from the University of Limpopo. He also has several post matric qualifications which include a Certificate in Municipal financial Management from the University of the North West, a certificate in Public Management from Regenesys Public Management School, a National Diploma in Security Risk Management from the University of South Africa (UNISA), a B-Tech in Security Risk Management from UNISA.
He also has a certificate in Elementary Fire Fighting from the Polokwane Fire Academy and another Certificate in Executive Leadership Municipal Development from the University of Pretoria.
Prior to joining the GTM, Mathebula worked as a manager responsible for security at State Information Technology Agency (SITA), a job that he held from April 2013 until his appointment at the GTM in August 2015. Mathebula started his work journey back in 1989 as an investigator at the then Department of Intelligence and Security which is now integrated into the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). In 1995 he served as an editor at the NIA until 1998. From 1998 to 2001 he served as the head of the Beitbridge Border Post at the NIA. From 2003 he served as Unit Head at the Vhembe District Office of the NIA until he resigned in 2007.
The Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality appointed him as the Director for Economic Development, Human Settlement and Spatial Planning, a position he held for five years. Meanwhile, Sam Lelope has been appointed to the position which has been vacant since the departure of long serving director, Pierre van den Heever who joined Witzenburg Municipality in the Western Cape.
Lelope’s appointment on a five year contract raised some eyebrows following allegations that he does not have the required qualifications.
Municipal spokesperson, Neville Ndala said Lelope is well qualified for the job.
He holds a B-Tech Degree (Electrical heavy current) and he is currently studying towards a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). “Before a person is appointed the qualifications are vetted to ensure they meet the minimum requirements for the position applied for,” said Ndlala.
The council has also agreed to settle with Dikeledi Malatji the Director for Engineering Services.
The council also approved recommendations by the Municipal Public Accounts Committee, and has instructed that the committee reports in the next council. Council has also approved a draft budget of R1,225 billion for the 2017/2018 Financial Year. This is an increase of R60,2 million. The budget will be taken to communities for inputs and buy-in. The public participation programme will be released soon to give residents an opportunity to participate. Council also approved the extension of Telkom Mobile Contract to supply tablets
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