KIMBERLEY – Sol Plaatje Municipality’s suspended municipal manager Thapelo Matlala returned to work on Friday 9 January, dismissing corruption charges against him as “very flimsy, trumped up charges” based solely on media reports with no formal complainant.
Speaking to journalists ahead of Wednesday’s special council meeting convened to discuss the investigation report into his conduct, Matlala said even “a st.5 kid would be able to understand” that his three-month suspension had automatically lapsed in December, and that the subsequent attempt to bar him from the municipality was legally untenable.
“The regulations are very clear. Within a period of three months, if you have not commenced the disciplinary process, the suspension automatically lapse,” Matlala said outside the council chambers.
Matlala revealed he had attempted to return to his office on Monday and Tuesday, but found it locked. He said he chose to avoid creating “a spectacle” and left the building.
“When I left here last year, I was not safe. There were people who nearly wanted to storm at my office there and all that,” he said, explaining why he arrived with a security detail, a move that prompted Speaker Dipuo Peters to lay intimidation charges with police.
Matlala strongly denied that anyone was threatened or intimidated by his security personnel. “It’s lies that people were threatened and all that. I don’t take kindly to that as a professional.”
He disclosed that his lawyers had written to the speaker on Tuesday evening questioning the legality of Wednesday’s council meeting, claiming the original agenda structure would have rendered it illegal. He said council corrected the procedural error about the existence of an acting municipal manager.
“If this meeting could have continued on the basis of how that agenda was structured, it was going to be an illegal meeting,” Matlala said.
He added that an interdict application to bar him from the municipality was “a waste of resources” and that “this matter was as clear as daylight.”
‘No wrongdoing on my part’
Matlala challenged the basis of the charges against him, which stem from August 2025 media reports alleging corruption, questionable tender awards, and irregular appointments.
“Who complained? There is no complainant. If you go to Schedule 8 of the Labor Relations Act, there must be a complainant,” he said.
He said while the disciplinary hearing would continue, he was “confident that there was no any wrongdoing on my part.”
Matlala raised serious concerns about delays to the municipality’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) water project during his three-month absence.
“I am very concerned. The three months that I have not been in office there has been a huge delay. The laying of pipes should have started,” he said.
This project, which he described as “a national flagship” praised by the Minister of Water and Sanitation as “one of the best well run projects in the country,” should already have pipes being laid. The delayed component is worth R240 million.
“Every day lost is a day too much and we need to have discussions with National Treasury.”
He highlighted the project’s success in maintaining Kimberley’s water supply even while reconstructing a clarifier at the Riverton Water Treatment Plant. “We were able to supply water in Kimberley without using one clarifier, It shows you the benefits of BFI in terms of improving water supply.”
However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges with water quality that still need addressing.
Priority is budget preparation
His immediate priority is the municipal budget preparation.
“We will be passing the budget at the end of May and developing and doing a budget, it’s a lot of work. Public participation for the integrated development project must be done,” he said.
He acknowledged communication failures at the municipality. “It was the longest of time the municipality could not communicate my situation or all the other work that we do in terms of service delivery that is very critical.”
With local government elections scheduled for later this year, Matlala said pressure on the municipality would intensify. “This is not going to be an easy year. We are going into an election. We need to improve on our service delivery.”
He pointed to New Year’s Day electricity outages in parts of Kimberley as an example of ongoing service delivery challenges.
Thursday’s special council meeting agenda includes an item on “procedural issues” related to Matlala’s suspension, with Mayor Martha Bartlett expected to update councillors on progress regarding the investigation.
Matlala confirmed he is “substantively the municipal manager” and that “the position is not vacant,” despite the municipality having appointed Busisiwe Magaguli as acting municipal manager during his suspension period.
Councillors have since raised concerns that prescribed timelines were not followed, the investigation was not completed within three months, and original complainants were never interviewed.
Matlala concluded his remarks with a pledge to residents: “I love my people and I will dedicate all my work, energy getting the city right. Yes, the city has challenges, but we will get it right.”
Timeline of events
- 24 August: Sunday World publishes corruption allegations against Matlala
- 2 September: Community organisations open criminal case at Kimberley Police Station
- 4 September: Council gives Matlala seven days to respond to allegations
- 16 September: Council places Matlala on three-month precautionary suspension
- 17 December: Three-month suspension period expires
- 5 to 6 January: Matlala attempts to return to office, finds it locked
- 8 January: Special council meeting scheduled to discuss investigation report
ALSO READ: Sol Plaatje municipal manager suspended amid financial misconduct allegations
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