government
27 March 2007
The acting municipal manager of Mamusa Local Municipality in
Schweizer-Reneke, Seth Ramagaga, has been returned to the provincial
government. This follows a request made by the mayor, Deliwe Chope, to the MEC
for Developmental Local Government and Housing, Phenye Vilakazi, that Ramagaga
be withdrawn as the municipal manager, as she felt the municipality had
returned to normality. Vilakazi seconded Ramagaga, a chief director of
development and planning in his department in June last year to restore
stability within the municipal administration and to fast-tack service
delivery.
Ramagaga's withdrawal takes effect from last week Thursday, 22 March and he
has returned to his substantive post in the department. The council is expected
to appoint another acting municipal manager pending the finalisation of the
appointment of a permanent municipal manager.
Prior to Ramagaga's deployment, the municipality was at loggerheads with
then municipal manager, Dichaba Makhate and the latter had been suspended by
the council. The municipality was also in financial distress to an extent that
it was struggling to pay salaries of its employees. The situation was further
made worse by the fact that the municipality could not collect revenue from the
residents and local businesses. Both the council and the administration were
divided into two factions and the staff morale was low.
Ramagaga was given three months to turn around the situation. The
municipality was also expected to have appointed a new municipal manager within
three months. Ramagaga's term had to be extended at the request of the council.
Vilakazi has commended Ramagaga for his contribution to the stabilisation of
the municipality, saying it was because of his leadership that the municipality
was no longer struggling financially. Vilakazi said Ramagaga has managed to put
in place the necessary financial management systems and policies and increased
the debt collection rate of the municipality.
For further information, contact:
Mandla Mathebula
Tel: (018) 387 3813
Cell: 083 282 6133
Issued by: Department of Developmental Local Government and Housing, North
West Provincial Government
27 March 2007
