Mogalakwena ‘shoplifting’ manager ‘will be probed’

The ANC and Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo are at odds over the appointment of Beverly Gungisa as new municipal manager for the Mogalakwena local municipality.

Gungisa’s appointment on Tuesday raised a lot of questions, with the DA claiming the new manager had a criminal record for shoplifting.

The party claimed Gungisa committed the crime in 2011 in Pretoria. Due to her history, she could not be trusted to have access to classified information and financial information, the party said.

The DA threatened to approach the office of cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs.

The ANC in Limpopo yesterday said the matter was already receiving attention from the MEC for cooperative governance, Jerry Ndou.

Provincial secretary Soviet Lekganyane said it was standard procedure that if the council is disgruntled with the appointment of section 56 and 57 managers, that matter would be referred to the MEC.

“We believe the MEC will check if the track record of such an employee would not taint the image of the institution. The MEC will be expected to conduct the vetting process on the official in question to check his or her background.

“If the MEC does not find grave concerns, he will write a letter to agree or disagree with the appointment,” said Lekganyane.

Lekganyane further rubbished allegations by opposition of the ANC harbouring criminals. The parties alleged those fingered in the VBS saga were awarded with senior council positions.

But Lekganyane said the party fired seven mayors for wrongly investing municipal funds in the defunct bank. “Those who have proof others took part in the illicit investments must bring proof.”

The municipality said yesterday the new manager would start working on April 1.

– news@citizen.co.za

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