Alex Matlala
LIMPOPO – The controversial suspension of the municipal manager of Maruleng Municipality in Mopani raised another brouhaha, which left residents burning with anger and a pregnant learner dead. This incident took place during a community protest march in Sekororo near Tzaneen on Friday.
The march was aimed at protesting the controversial suspension of municipal manager, Refiloe Ramothwala. The residents took to the streets the day after the municipal council took the decision to suspend Ramothwala.
Ramothwala was accused of maladministration and allegedly failing to take instructions from his political masters. The learner who died was apparently among the hundreds of learners who were forced out of their classrooms to join the protest march. The learner, whose name had not been released by the time of going to print, fell and lost consciousness. She was reportedly certified dead on arrival at Sekororo Hospital.
Congress of the South African Students Mopani chairperson, Promise Peta, said the congress was investigating whether the learner was forced to take part in the march or whether she died while she was willingly en route to the march.
Leader of the Sekororo community, Edward Malatji, said the residents took to the streets to sympathise with the suspended manager. He said according to residents, Ramothwala’s suspension was illegal and not acceptable to them. “We are in turn demanding the suspension of the mayor, Pule Mafologela, the speaker, Glara Magoro and the chief whip, Mmoledi Mongadi, also on charges of maladministration,” he said.
Municipal spokesperson, John Seokoma, confirmed that Ramothwala was suspended but refused to discuss the matter saying it was sub judice. Provincial police spokesperson, Lt Col Ronél Otto, referred all enquiries to Mopani police spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe. However, by the time of going to print he had not commented on the matter.
