The Head of Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr Mokete Duma, has intervened in the illegal strike by employees of Moqhaka Local Municipality, which was threatening provision of services and smooth running of the institution.
On 7 - 8 January 2014, Mr Duma, with some senior managers of the department reacted to the illegal action taken by employees of the municipality against their management, among others the municipal manager. These are said to be implicated in some alleged long standing irregularities that have been of concern to employees over time. The list of these alleged irregularities is in possession of the department.
In order to establish control at the municipality, a meeting held between the COGTA management and employees of Moqhaka resulted in the department instituting Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act on the municipality. Section 106 allows an MEC for local government to request information or conduct an investigation into a Municipality, which is not fulfilling a statutory obligation or is suspected of maladministration, fraud, corruption or a serious malpractice.
A task team is currently constituted and will be employed to investigate these allegations. While COGTA understands these alleged concerns, it must be noted that the department does not condone the illegal route chosen by employees over grievance procedures that must be followed in such cases. It is therefore clear that there will be consequences for such action.
The said task team is targeted to start work in Moqhaka on 20th January and is expected to complete the investigation by end January 2014. In the meantime, the department is working on means of ensuring that the managers return to work for the smooth and normal running of the municipality and provision of adequate services to the people of Moqhaka.
Contact:
Senne Bogatsu:
Deputy Director: Communication
Cell: 082 774 1014
Mondli Mvambi
Director: Media Strategy
Cell: 078 027 4332
Setjhaba Maphalla
Cell: Deputy Director: Media Strategy and News Services
Cell: 071 302 2591
