LMPOPO – The acting chief financial officer (CFO) of the Makhado Municipality, Godfrey Raliphada filed court papers in the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane on September 1, stating his intention to interdict the municipality from appointing a new CFO.
During a council meeting on August 30, a decision was made not to appoint Raliphada in the post, even though he was identified as the successful candidate by the selection panel. Instead, a politically connected group pursued the appointment of Mulatwa Thangavhuelelo, the current CFO at the troubled Vhembe District Municipality (VDM).
Workers at the municipality also initiated a go-slow, expressing their discontent with political interference in the municipality’s affairs. The two labour unions, Samwu and Imatu both threatened legal action over the appointment, while the EFF announced their intention to challenge the decision in court too.
Raliphada’s application before court provides a detailed account of the processes followed and what he describes as procedural unfairness. He asserts that the application relates to the abuse of powers, illegality, irrationality, and procedural unfairness. He has served as acting CFO since 2020 and in this period, the Makhado Municipality received three unqualified audit reports from the auditor-general.
Makhado Municipality spokesperson, Louis Bobodi confirmed that the municipality had received the court documents. He said that they were still waiting for the council to decide whether they would oppose the application or not.
The chairperson of the local branch of Imatu, Mpho Mulaudzi said they were concerned that the municipality would waste more money on legal fees by challenging Raliphada’s application for an interdict. He said the municipality was hell-bent on appointing Thangavhuelelo, despite it being clear that Raliphada was the best person to do the job.
“Individuals who want Thangavhuelelo here must take it upon themselves to appeal this decision, using money from their own pockets,” Mulaudzi said.
According to Tsanwani Raduwa, the secretary of the local Samwu branch, they will be supporting Raliphada in his quest for justice to prevail. They also believe Raliphada should have been appointed.
DA councillor in Louis Trichardt, Glenda Furumela, said her party had voted against the council resolution to appoint Thangavhuelelo as they believe this was done in contravention of the Municipal Systems Act. She said they supported the right of the employee to approach the court and ask for intervention.
The EFF’s Wiseman Ramalwa said his party applauds Raliphada’s move to file an urgent application.
