UNDERFIRE MM 'MUST VOETSEK'

COMMUNITY members are in uproar after Sol Plaatje municipal manager Thapelo Matlala was given another seven days to respond to allegations during a special council meeting yesterday.

- SANDI KWON HOO

This came despite a scathing attack from civic organisations, which alleged that he was being shielded while "question marks" hung over his head, including claims of dubious tenders and appointments secured under his watch.

Community members toyi-toyied in the corridors of the municipality, chanting "voetsek, voetsek, Matlala must go!" and threatened to physically remove him from the premises this week.

They said the municipal leadership was "dragging their feet" when it came to suspending Matlala and called for all councillors to step down for being "complicit in wrongdoing".

Members of the gallery were told to leave chambers when Khuza Bogacwi was appointed acting municipal manager yesterday, where it was also announced that Matlala had taken annual leave from September 3 to 27.

They were again instructed to wait outside when the council discussed another "confidential item" — the possible suspension of the municipal manager. The public was only allowed back inside after the decision to grant Matlala another seven days to respond.

EFF councillor Kenneth Kok objected, demanding that the Speaker apologise to the public for inviting them to the meeting only to chase them away.

EFF councillor Pontsho Mocwana added that the council could have reached a decision had they been presented with Matlala's report in response to the allegations against him.

"No reasons were given as to why the report was not made available. No decision can be made without knowing its contents," Mocwana said.

Sol Plaatje Service Delivery Forum councillor Dennis Pienaar also questioned the withholding of the report and argued that proper procedures had not been followed.

ANC chief whip Martin White expressed concern that the municipality could face legal action if due process was ignored.