The constant interference by the office of the mayor in the operations of the administration of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality is a cause for concern.
This especially so with reports coming from officials within the municipality of irregularities that the executive mayor is pressuring officials to perform.
Igor Scheurkogel, DA councillor, says the mayor, Thanduxo Khalipa, has hijacked the “Service Delivery War Room”, consisting of ward councillors, to discuss service delivery issues and to address and engage with senior officials to resolve service delivery issues.
“Instead of simply participating in the discussions, Khalipa has made it his own personal power display meeting and is directly interfering with the administration.”
Khalipha is in direct contravention of the code of conduct for councillors and the Municipal Systems Act.
“The Code of Conduct states that a councillor may not interfere in the management or administration of any department of the municipality, unless mandated by the council.
- They may also not: give or purport to give any instruction to any employee of the council except when authorized to do so;) obstruct or attempt to obstruct the implementation of any decision of the council or a committee by an employee of the council; or) encourage or participate in any conduct which would cause or contribute to maladministration in the council.
The Municipal Systems Act further grants councils the right to exercise the municipality’s executive and legislative authority, and to do so without improper interference.
Scheurkogel says several officials have complained about the mayor interfering and hampering their ability to perform their duties. The role of the municipal council is to exercise oversight over the administration, not to perform the duties of officials.
“We will submit questions to the next council sitting at the end of November on the impact of the executive mayor’s interferences on service delivery.”
