The executive mayor of Matjhabeng might not be in office physically but he is still controls matters from his home, using municipal resources to attend his court hearings and to travel to the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.
Vista understands that Thanduxolo Khalipha, whose sick leave expired on 14 September, has not returned to office, nor is he adhering to the ANC’s decision that he must step aside until his criminal court matters are concluded.
An informed source has confirmed that Khalipha is freely using his official vehicle, with petrol and even accommodation charges all paid for by ratepayers.
The Matjhabeng Local Municipality’s council speaker, Bheki Stofile, and municipal manager, Adv. Lonwabo Ngoqo, have failed to respond to the DA’s formal complaint against the conduct of Khalipha.
In a letter penned by DA councillor Piet Botha on 22 April, he requested the speaker to act against Khalipha for transgressing the councillors code of conduct.
According to the letter “Assault of employees and swearing at them by the Executive Mayor must not and cannot be condoned by anyone, especially by the Council.”
The letter states that both the speaker and municipal manager must act in accordance with rule 99 of the standing rules and orders of council as well as the code of conduct for the Councillors Section 16.
Botha wrote that in terms of the standing rules and orders, a procedure is set out on how these matters must be handled and investigated by the municipal manager and speaker.
Khalipha violated the Code of Conduct for Councillors published by virtue of the Government Gazette dated 14 June 2003.
“He did not act in good faith and, as a result, brought the name of the municipality and council into disrepute,” stated the letter.
Instead of stepping aside, Khalipha took leave and appointed his choice of acting mayor. The ANC then reversed this decision and appointed Cllr Hlobohang Mokhomo.
The speaker has not called for a special council seating to extend Mokhomo’s acting, or take action against Khalipha for his conduct.
Botha says that he sent Stofile emails on 11 and 13 September. In his reply to these over WhatsApp, he said he would get back to Botha on 16 September when he had reviewed the council sitting recordings. At the time of going to print, he has not yet done so.
