LIMPOPO MIRROR
2 14 December 2018
Local mayors ordered to take the fall in VBS Mutual scandal Continues from page 1
Makhado Municipality Mayor Shonisani Sinyosi was not spared and she also received her marching orders. Makhado Local Municipality (MLM) invested R150 million with VBS, of which just more than R53 million is still outstanding. The premier’s report proposes that disciplinary action be taken against the municipal manager at the time, the CFO, the revenue manager and the municipality’s assets manager. It further proposes that legal steps be taken to try and recover money from the individuals concerned who had authorised the investments. During a special council meeting at the end of October, it was decided to suspend the municipality’s former acting MM, Johannes Kanwendo. In MLM’s case, doing so is slightly more problematic, seeing that the municipality had had a number of acting MMs, following the suspension of Sakkie Mutshinyali in 2016. The first VBS investment (R15 million) by the MLM was made in mid-2016. In 2017, three further investments were made, totalling R140 million. During this period,
the CFO was Mikateko Palesa Makhubela. She resigned early in 2018 to take up a position at the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, where she is still the CFO. Currently, the acting CFO at Makhado is Godfrey Raliphada. In December last year, Freddy Tshivhengwa was appointed as MM. Before Tshivengwa’s appointment, different officials acted as MM. On 17 October 2017, Chris Kharidzha was listed, but for most of 2017, Johannes Kanwendo’s name appeared next to the title of acting MM.
Collins Chabane Municipality At Collins Chabane Municipality (CCM), the mayor who received the boot is Joyce Bila. This municipality apparently only joined the VBS queue a bit later, but still invested R120 million. The full amount is still outstanding. As is the case with the other municipalities, the premier’s report recommended that disciplinary action be taken against the MM and the CFO. At the end of October, this municipality also opted to provisionally suspend the officials involved. They are the CFO, Mr Eddy Makamu, and the MM, Ms Tsakani Ngobeni.
During Tuesday’s press conference, Mathabatha said that the axed mayors would be redeployed “elsewhere”. This caused an immediate outcry from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA). In a press release, the DA’s provincial leader, Jacques Smalle, said that the ANC officials should not be “recycled” but should face the full might of the law. “We will not stand for the redeployment of these cadres and every single person who currently is still employed by the government should be shown the door immediately,” he said. As far as the replacements of the various mayors are concerned, the premier did not want to say much. “The ANC is busy working on the matter and, hopefully, the acting mayors will soon be appointed,” he said. Rumours, however, are circulating that Radzilani will be replaced by Dowelani Nenguda, Mavhungu Luruli, Makonde Mathivha, Rudzani Ludere or Ester Makhumisane. The possible candidates in Makhado to replace Sinyosi are Lindiwe Mohale, David Davhana or Dorcus Mmbooi. The Collins Chabane “candidates” are Moses Maluleke, Percy Mashimbi or Shadrack Maluleke.
Funeral of Hosi Manganyi unites his extended family By Elmon Tshikhudo
The secretary of Contralesa in Collins Chabane Municipality, Hosi Bohani Shigamani, said the late chief had been an interesting individual who had been a unifier. “He was highly respected by traditional leaders. During his tenure as chief, he was elected by traditional leaders in the whole Malamulele as chairperson of the Malamulele Territorial Authority,” said Hosi Shigamani.
Unlike what happens in many polygamous families, where fights are the order of the day during funerals, the funeral of traditional leader Chief George Hasani Manganyi brought his children together. The chief had five wives, 29 children and 34 grandchildren. He died on December 3 at Malamulele Hospital of natural causes. The chief, who was 76, was buried at Mavambe village outside Malamulele on Friday. He ruled the area for more than 23 years as regent after the death of the incumbent. When the new chief, Patrick II came into power in 2006, he started a new settlement, George Hasani, and gave it to his uncle to rule. At the funeral, Manganyi’s eldest son, Isaac Manganyi, asked his siblings to stand in line, holding each other’s hands, and they obliged. “This means that, although our father has departed, we must remain strong and united,” he said. Isaac Manganyi did not stay with the other children. He was born in Johannesburg before Hosi Mavambe came back to become a chief. When he grew older, he came to Malamulele, looking for his father and since then they were united until his father died. He is now a successful businessman in Midrand and he told his siblings: “You are a chain. If you are a chain, no one will break you and you will be strong.” One of the children, Rinah Manganyi, said that their father would be proud to hear what was said at the funeral. “Although we had different mothers, he wanted us to be united and always come together when there are occasions like The late Hosi George Hasani Manganyi, who was someone’s birthday.” buried at Mavambe on Friday.
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The educators, past principals and parents of the pupils at Tshimonela Primary School celebrated the school’s 30th birthday at Mpheni Block C last Friday. The school’s current principal, Mr Thomani Thavhiwa, said that the school continued to be a beacon of hope for many children who wanted to beautify their future with education. In our photo are some of the people who attended the event.
The tshigombela children of the Tshimonela Primary School entertained the guests during the school’s 30th birthday celebration at Mpheni Block C on Friday.
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