SECUNDA -The Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) appointed a new chief financial officer after the position had been vacant for a long time.
Morufo Moloto took up the reins in November, two years after GMM terminated its contract with the controversial former CFO contract, Bongumusa Sithole.
Sithole was appointed by the municipality as the CFO in August 2017. He was suspended in March 2018 for alleged fraudulent payments estimated at R3,5m to companies without following the proper procedure.
It was also alleged this matter was one of the chief contributors that led to the recall of the former mayor, Florah Maboa-Boltman, because this happened under her watch.
Sithole took the matter to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), but GMM did not attend the proceedings to present their case.
The CCMA dismissed the case and ruled that Sithole had to return to work.
Opposition parties alleged that Sithole was working without an employment contract, which was refuted by the ANC councillors.
After returning to work, Sithole received another letter that the council was intending to again suspend him. He took the matter to the high court where he also won, but his contract was eventually terminated.
