The DA will write to Coghsta MEC, Basikopo Makamu, to address concerns around the new Acting Municipal Manager and the failure of the Ba-Phalaborwa municipality to appoint a Permanent Municipal Manager.
The DA rejected the decision taken in a special council sitting on Monday, to have the senior manager of technical services, Motlalepula Mphachoe, occupy the position of acting Municipal Manager. This will be the second appointment of an acting Municipal Manager since the last permanent appointment.
Mphachoe has proven to be ineffective and is failing as the technical services manager, and this is evident by the poor state of service delivery and infrastructure in the municipality. Despite the apparent poor performance by this manager, the ANC has decided to reward this ineptitude with a promotion to acting Municipal Manager.
In a joint portfolio committee meeting in November Mphachoe’s capacity was in question, and she failed to give accountability for failing to maintain the sewerage, road and water lnfrastructure, failure to replace light bulbs at Lulekani Stadium and failing to maintain and replace broken public and municipal office toilets, with some of the job cards dated years back.
The DA objected to her appointment and when we raised our concern in the sitting, the mayor, Merriam Malatji, seemingly acknowledged that as the ANC they are aware of her shortcomings but would still proceed with supporting the appointment. This is simply unacceptable.
The DA does not believe her appointment will improve services to the people of Phalaborwa. As council our duty is to make sure our municipality runs smoothly, provides service delivery and to be accountable to the community we serve, not promote ineffective officials to benefit the ANC.