VANDERBIJLPARK. – The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has vehemently refuted rumours that its Municipal Manager (MM), Yunus Chamda resigned from his position recently and is adamant that the Chamda is merely on leave.
Social media was abuzz with the news of Chamda’s resignation citing that he handed in his resignation after he discovered that the ELM was to be put under administration following allegations of corruption and bankruptcy.
Sources inform Sedibeng Ster that municipal officials and ward councillors were also unhappy about the news of the ELM being put under administration as it was said that their salaries will be cut in half.
It is said that it took ELM Mayor Simon Mofokeng’s convincing for Chamda to come back. Upon his arrival at ELM Chamda insisted on a salary cut after an increase that saw his earnings jump from R1.4 million to R 2.4 million.
He had received the increase after being seconded to ELM (replacing Sam Tshabalala) from Sedibeng District Municipality, compelling him to approach the Remuneration Committee with his request. Chamda has a wealth of experience and is said to be a reliable administrator, having also served as mayor of Lekoa-Vaal between 1996 and 2000.
On December 10 in 1996, Chamda hosted the late President Nelson Mandela during the signing ceremony of South Africa’s new, fully democratic, Constitution in Sharpeville. “Employees are owed monies from overtime and being moved from their levels. People are out for one another’s heads at Emfuleni and your normal workers are not sure about their futures,” sources said referring to the alleged tense situation.
ELM acting manager for communications, marketing, branding and events management, Stanley Gaba said that there is no substance in the rumours doing the rounds about the MM’s resignation.
“We should not give credence to unnamed sources, and rumours as they aim at destabilising the municipality. The municipal manager, Yunus Chamda, was present at the Mayoral Investment Council with the business sector. “Currently the municipal manager is on two weeks annual leave,” he said.
Meanwhile sources inform Sedibeng Ster that recent developments are that the Gauteng Provincial government has intervened on the matter and the municipality has been given a ‘second chance’ after being awarded financial assistance recently and Ward councillors’ salaries are said to have been increased with 4%.
Since the dawn of democracy the Emfuleni Local Municipality has been embroiled in skirmish’s and allegations of corruption and almost all its mayors since then, have never finished their term of office.
