Premier Moloto remains tight-lipped over “division” in Makhado Council

Date: 23 November 2007 By: Nthambeleni Gabara

The Premier of Limpopo and provincial chairperson of the ANC, Mr Sello Moloto, held a marathon meeting with allies of the two factions of the Makhado Municipality on Monday.

The ANC councillors have been divided into two factions as a result of bad blood between the mayor, Cllr Glory Mashaba, and the municipal manager, Ms Faith Muthambi.

This week´s meeting was attended by the top officials of both the regional (REC) and provincial executive committee (PEC) members of the ANC. The PEC was led by Moloto, Cassel Mathale, Dewet Monakedi and Ms Maite Nkoana Mashabane. The REC was led by the former member of Ximoko Xa Rixaka, who is now the ANC regional chairperson, Mr Philemon Mdaka, Paul Mainganye and Ms Nandi Ndalane.

The meeting was scheduled to start at 16:00, but it started two hours later and lasted until 22:30. A reliable ANC councillor who attended the meeting said that "although the premier’s visit was aimed at easing tension between the two allies, the moment they began to discuss Muthambi in absentia, it clearly demonstrated that they were at the council to protect the mayor".

"At first, comrades were lashing out at both Muthambi and Mashaba, with others indicating that the two municipal leaders both lack political and administration capacities. We were also reminded to address issues in the ANC manner. Some of us felt uncomfortable when the discussion focused on Muthambi, who was not part of the meeting. As much as we have seen that they were taking sides in resolving the matter, they will come back again. It was Moloto who told us to work in unity and harmony," said the reliable source.

During the meeting held in the council chamber, Moloto frequently walked out to smoke. At one stage, Mirror heard him saying to his security personnel: "Di ya boya," which is loosely translated as "It is tough". Mashabane left before the meeting was over.

After the meeting, Moloto told members of the media that "there is no media statement" while walking out of the council chamber.

The ANC’s provincial secretary, Cassel Mathale, denied that they were at the council to discuss the factions. "We are not aware that there is factionalism. We came here to talk with our councillors about speeding up service delivery to our people," he said.

The more the mayor and the municipal manager were embroiled in a power struggle, the more employees, members of the executive council (Exco) and ordinary councillors at the council were divided into Mashaba’s and Muthambi’s camps.

It was also alleged that the former mayor of Louis Trichardt, Cllr Norman Mabila, and Cllr Grace Nkanyane were removed as full-time members of Exco by Mashaba because they belong to Muthambi’s faction.

The two, who were regarded as the great defenders of Muthambi, were replaced by Cllr David Mutavhatsindi and Cllr Steven Matamela, when Mashaba reshuffled her Exco shortly after the floor-crossing window period.

Through reliable sources, Mirror also established that council speaker Cllr Joan Hoorzuk is also not on good terms with the mayor. The council´s chief whip, Cllr Rufus Selepe, together with Exco member Cllr Albert Muvhumbe, is apparently supporting the mayor’s faction.

The ANC councilors’ divisions came to light when the ‘master’ of the mayor’s faction, Cllr Muvhumbe, tried to influence Exco members not to renew Muthambi’s contract when it ends in February. The same faction allegedly tried to put Muthambi on trial on allegations of mismanagement of council funds.

On the other hand, Muthambi’s faction wants the mayor to leave her place because of her close ties with the former municipal manager, Mr Mugivhela Rambado, and her predecessor, Mr Brighton Tlakula. The mayor is also accused of illegally involving herself in the Chinese Factory Colour Steel process, without council approval.

Another councilor, who requested to remain anonymous, said that as long as the Chief Whip, the mayor and Cllr Albert Muvhumbe remain on the council, factionalism will never stop.

Mirror understands that the rift between the mayor and the speaker developed after Mashaba defied the councilor’s proposals to remove certain Exco members as chairpersons of various portfolio committees at the council.

"Councilors want Exco member Cllr Lindiwe Lowane to be removed as the chairperson of the portfolio committee of community services, but the mayor wants to move her to replace Cllr Thanyani Mudau as the chairperson of the portfolio committee of corporate service," said the source. When contacted for comment, Speaker Hoorzuk denied that she was not on good terms with the mayor.

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Nthambeleni Gabara