MOKOPANE – Mashamaite was appointed after a special council meeting on Wednesday, 22 August. He will now be in charge of providing sustainable and effective service delivery which includes refuse removal, parks and recreation and the overall neatness of the town. He will also authorise tender applications.
The controversial appointment of Mashamaite was strongly disapproved by the two DA councillors, Korny Dekker and Yolande Coetzee, as well as the councillor and Limpopo Leader of the Freedom Front Plus, Marcelle Maritz.
The three councillors arrived together at Bosveld’s office after the council meeting to express their dissatisfaction at the way the Mayor, Andrina Matsemela, conducted the meeting.
The three councillors said Mashamaite’s appointment comes as a shock and they are worried about the town and its finances.
“This appointment is not good for our town. We will do everything in our power to oppose it. As the opposition, we were not given a chance to express our opinions. The mayor as well as other councillors raised their voices towards us and called us racists.”
Dekker claimed he was even pushed around by one of the mayor’s bodyguards.
Mashamaite, also Deputy Director of Corporate Services, says being appointed in this position is about taking care of the services in town.
“We must make sure people are getting quality services. I am a new broom that sweeps clean. I want to give this department a facelift as it is the face of the municipality. I know this department very well.”
He further said, regarding the claims that the mayor and other councillors raised their voices, he does not think she would stoop that low.
“If ever there is a racial element taking place, we have to do away with these people digging up the past. We are almost 25 years into the new dispensation. We are a rainbow nation and we must work together for the sake of our people.”
He then spoke about Maritz who apparently called him a derogatory term.
“While I was waiting for the councillors to come out of the meeting, she came up to me and pointed her finger saying that she will fight with me until I die.
“She said this is not a Mashamaite’s municipality and that I will not get the position.”
He said it is wrong of people to allege that the Mashamaites bring fraud into the municipality.
“I am the only Mashamaite at the municipality. Most of the Mashamaites are political powerhouses in the ANC. We will never steal the municipality’s money.
“The money is controlled by the finance department alone. No other Mashamaite works in that department. We challenge anyone with evidence about fraud within the municipality to open a case.”
In conclusion, Mashamaite highlighted: “In this process, I am preparing myself to take over the position of Municipal Manager in 2022.
“I am studying very hard to complete my degree and be well prepared to fill that position. My future looks very bright.”
Maritz was shocked at Mashamaite’s allegation. She denied speaking to him in an offensive manner.
redakteur.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
