Modimolle-Mookgophong Mayor’s head on chopping block

LIMPOPO – Jaques Smalle DA Leader of Limpopo, said the motion of no confidence comes shortly before the outcome of a forensic investigation into the municipality’s money matters is made known. “The Provincial Treasurer recently placed the municipality under administration because of its bad financial state.”
Smalle also said Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipality is only one of two municipalities in Limpopo, controlled by a DA, EFF and VF + coalition.
Van Staden received a letter from the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council stating its intention to dissolve the Council in terms of section 139(1)(c) of the Constitution.
“I have been given seven days to make representations which will allow for further determination by the Executive Council on the intervention. This section allows the Provincial Government to take such a drastic step in exceptional circumstances.”

https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/274429/eff-leader-has-mm-mayor-in-sights/

Van Staden said Jerry Ndou, CoGHSTA MEC didn’t give any indication in his letter of what “exceptional circumstances” has suddenly emerged to warrant such a drastic step and it is, therefore difficult for the mayor to make representations in the absence of any justification.
“In fact, for the past four months the Provincial Government has already intervened at the municipality in terms of section 139(1)(b) following a request from me and the intervention has so far yielded positive results. The municipality has managed to obtain two court orders preventing creditors from taking legal action against it for 90 days and Council passed a financial recovery plan which will place the municipality on a path to financial sustainability. Just last week did the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) communicated to me that the PEC had accepted the financial recovery plan and would be expecting regularly reports on its implementation.”
The mayor is also expecting the release of a report of a forensic investigation commission by National Treasury into misappropriated conditional grant money.
“This investigation was approved by all parties in council. At no point has the administrator deployed by the PEC produced a report indicating that things were not progressing sufficiently or that the MEC was contemplating a more drastic type of intervention. The National Council of Province (NCOP) also visited the municipality a couple of weeks ago and approved the section 139(1)(b) intervention on 23 October.”
Van Staden said Modimolle-Mookgophong is certainly not unique with regards to its circumstances, and a number of other municipalities in Limpopo that are in severe financial distress have not received intervention or been dissolved.
“I will engage the PEC on this matter to find out what ‘exceptional circumstances’ informed their intention and will ensure that the political will of the residents of Modimolle-Mookgophong is not simply disregarded.”
Van Staden said there is no truth in the speculations that the Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipal Council has been dissolved.
“The Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipal Council is still constituted as per the mandate given to it by voters in 2016. The Council will only be dissolved once the PEC has submitted a written notice to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the NCOP.”
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