Thulamela mayor refuses to vacate his mayoral chair
Thulamela mayor Avhashoni Tshifhango has refused to vacate his mayoral position despite the fact that the ANC PEC has recalled him.
LIMPOPO – Tshifhango reported for duty last Monday after he was dismissed on July 1 by the PEC for his involvement in the municipality’s decision to invest in the now defunct VBS Mutual Bank in 2016.
“Why am I the only one being fired when there are people from other municipalities within the province who have done the same, but remain in their seats,” he told CV.
He said he believes his dismissal was politically motivated and that he plans to take up the matter with the ANC NEC.
Tshifhango could, however, not elaborate as internal party policy keeps him from doing so if a matter has been escalated to a higher level of authority in the ANC.
The spokesperson for the ANC in the province, Donald Selamolela said they stand firm on Tshifhango’s dismissal, as earlier communicated to the media.
“He has the right to appeal but as the ANC in the province we have fired him and it was done procedurally.”
Selamolela said the decision to invest funds in VBS – a bank that was not registered in terms of the Banks Act no 94 of 1990 – and a decision that was in contrast with the municipality’s own investment policy, contradicts council’s duty to invest public funds judiciously.
According to Selamolela these investments were carried out despite VBS’s failure to provide council with a credit rating report, and Tshifhango has failed to monitor and oversee the exercise of responsibilities assigned in terms of the MFMA and provide diligent leadership in the matter.
A forensic report showed that the municipality had invested R30 million and received interest of just over R682 000.
The report didn’t indicate that political pressure was exerted on officials to invest with VBS.
The municipality’s acting CFO at that time was concerned about the legality of the investment and wrote among others to the South African Reserve Bank asking for clarity.
Despite her refusal to recommend the investment, the money was deposited. The forensic report recommended that the municipality act against the mayor and municipal manager as they had clearly transgressed the policies in place.
Selamolele confirmed that the PEC took the decision on the recommendations of the ANC REC in the Vhembe region, the resolutions of the Municipal Special Council meeting which was held in June and numerous forensic reports which investigated unlawful and irregular investments.
Meanwhile, the PEC had in consultation with the Vhembe REC nominated Humbulani Molovhedzi, the former speaker of the municipality as the interim mayor for the remainder of the current term in office.
Selamolela added that they trust Mulovhedzi will perform her duties as mayor diligently.
The spokesperson for ANC in the Vhembe region, Tshifhiwa Dali said the Thulamela Municipality had been instructed to act in a consistent manner and in line with the recommendations of the report.
