The MEC for Local Government and Housing has instructed the Mayor of the
Randfontein local municipality to remove two councilors from serving in the municipality. Councilor Sole and Councilor Setsiba will be removed from council in line with the code of conduct for councilors as well as the municipal systems act.
Councilor Sole was found to have transgressed the code of conduct by misleading the public through her conduct. “Item 2 of the Code of conduct requires councilors to perform their functions of office, in good faith, honestly and in a transparent manner. It further requires that councilors must at all times act in the best interest of the municipality and in such a way that the credibility and integrity of the municipality are not compromised” said MEC Kgaogelo Lekgoro.
“It is quite apparent that councilor Sole has not performed her duties in a transparent manner and went further to tell one of the residents from which she accepted a thousand rands that she should not tell anyone about the arrangement.
The conduct of the councilor has clearly resulted in disgrace to the municipality, as well as an inevitable distrust in the Municipality, which is being felt by community members” said MEC Lekgoro.
The councilor further used her position to improperly benefit another person for an RDP house. “The councilor clearly used her position to benefit her financially and she promised community members the benefit of receiving housing and reconnection of electricity in exchange for money” said MEC Lekgoro.
Councilor Setsiba was also found to have transgressed the code of conduct and the municipal systems act. “As per the report from the investigator overwhelming evidence was found from various municipal officials, councilors and community members that the councilor was running a private business from the municipality. She engaged in selling goods and services from her official municipal office and used her personal assistant appointed by council as a human resource to assist in the running of her business” said MEC Lekgoro.
The councilor also claimed money from the municipality for a trip that was not authorized by the municipality. “Councilor Setsiba was found to have claimed subsistence of three thousand rands for an overseas trip which was outside the confines of the municipality. She also took her husband and child with her when she was supposed to bring a disadvantaged child from a school and an adult community member” said MEC Lekgoro.
“We hope that these actions will bear testimony to our resolve in fighting corruption and maladministration” said MEC Lekgoro.
For more information please contact:
Fred Mokoko
Cell: 082 447 8407
Tel: 011 355 7687
E-mail: Fred.Mokoko@gauteng.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing Gauteng Provincial Government
9 February 2010
