The provincial intervention into Madibeng Local Municipality has been deferred by three weeks pending conclusion of investigations into allegations of fraud and corruption within the municipality, North West Provincial Executive Council (Exco) resolved in a special meeting held with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Richard Baloyi in Mahikeng on Wednesday afternoon.
MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, China Dodovu says that his department will proceed with deployment of an administrator and technical experts as part of Implementation of provincial intervention in accordance with Section 139(i) (b) of the constitution.
The process as adopted by Exco was put on hold pending consultations and engagements with Minister Baloyi.
The Minister is to expedite the appointment of a team from his office to expedite investigations that would amongst others cover, reinstatement of dismissed Municipal Manager, termination of Gobodo mandate, termination of De Swartdt Vogel Myambo Attorneys mandate and failure to pay them and fraudulent activities in supply chain management.
The high-powered team is expected to conclude its investigation within the next three weeks.
“We will support the investigation process in the spirit of promoting cooperative governance and sound intergovernmental relations within and across all spheres of government. The Department and the provincial government will cooperate with the Minister during the process because all spheres of government have a responsibility to promote good governance based on trust and mutual respect, support and cooperation within the framework of the laws of the country” says MEC Dodovu.
The municipality had taken the provincial government on the Madibeng Matter to court on two grounds: first, for an interim interdict against the execution of the intervention decision, and second, for the review of the decision to invoke section 139(1)(b) intervention.
The court dismissed the interdict application and the substantive review application is still pending.
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Madibeng intervention deferred
Province
