Municipal officials suspended
ANCYL regional secretary Trevor Nkosi said they are aware that people are fed-up with corruption and nepotism in the municipality.
Two municipal officials implicated in the recent nepotism scandal at Msukaligwa Municipality have been suspended.
The Human Resources manager and the Occupational Health and Safety manager were suspended last Wednesday over allegations of nepotism at the municipality after members of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and Phezukomkhono contract workers protested at the municipal offices in Ermelo last Monday and Tuesday.
An urgent meeting was convened between the municipal management, African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) Gert Sibande region and representatives of the two groups.
In that meeting a decision to suspend the pair immediately was taken pending the ongoing investigation.
Municipal spokesman Mr Mandla Zwane confirmed the suspensions and informed the Highvelder that the institution would advertise available vacancies and that the members of both disgruntled groups and the community could apply.
Mr Zwane said fairness during the application process would be ensured. All employees taking part in the selection process, interviewing and/or appointment of applicants where family members or relatives have applied must declare their interest and in that regard recuse themselves from the process. That is in terms of the Municipal Employment Policy.
ANCYL regional secretary Trevor Nkosi said they are aware that people are fed-up with corruption and nepotism in the municipality.
“Our stance as the ANCYL REC regarding the matter at Msukaligwa Municipality is that those implicated in nepotism must be fired with immediate effect and we cannot tolerate thugs dragging the name of the ANC through the mud,” said Mr Nkosi, before attending a follow-up meeting with municipal management regarding the matter.
Contracts of the new appointments have since been discontinued pending the investigation.
Mr Zwane warned that the municipality would apply zero tolerance towards corruption, nepotism and any other acts of dishonesty.
Employees or any other person found to be in violation of the council’s policies will be disciplined accordingly, possibly including dismissal and prosecution.
