The SA Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) is considering legal steps to challenge the ANC through the restoration of Matjhabeng Local Municipal Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha despite his attack and Crimen Injuria conviction.
Khalipha was sentenced to a fine of R5,000 or three months in prison on one count of the common attack by the Court of the Odendaalrus -Magistraat in December.
On Crimen InjuriaHe was fined R1,000 or a month in prison on each. Khalipha was on trial for attacking one of his bodyguards and was then found guilty and convicted. During his trial, the municipality had an acting mayor, Hlobohang Mokhomo, who held the position until Khalipha returned to the office more than a week ago.
Samwu Free State Provincial Secretary Tabang Tseoua said that the trade union would hold a meeting with its members in the municipality on Wednesday to put a way forward in his next likely way of acting.
“Secondly, tomorrow (Thursday) we have a session with our lawyer to determine whether we have a legal basis to challenge his return,” he said.
The trade union has also demanded that the ANC immediately reverses the recovery of Khalipha and forces its permanent removal in accordance with its own resolution of provincial executive committee and to stop undermining the council processes.
According to SAMWU, the ANC must apply the step aside rule uniform and ensure that no leader accused of serious crimes-including Khalipha-in function as he is being investigated.
In addition, Samwu wants to miss independent forensic audits in the cases of Matjhabeng, firearms and all tenders approved under his term of office and to make the findings public.
On Wednesday, Khalipha indicated that his office and that of the acting municipal manager started a process to meet all political parties in the council.
He said that he did this to ensure that all political parties focus on what they were chosen, and say that he has already met the EFF leadership, both in the province and in National and the DA next week to ensure that there is stability.
“In every municipality where there is no stability, there is no investor who will come to invest,” said Khalipha.
He said there are plans to improve the relationship of the municipality with recognized trade unions and admitted that it had no good relationship with Samwu.
Samwu has been critical of the recovery of Khalipha and says that it anchor for years of ANC-compatible impunity.
“Under his leadership, the finances of Matjhabeng were looted by reckless schemes, including the purchasing of a second-hand vehicle fleet that turned millions out of the municipal treasury, while residents chronic water shortages, electricity blockouts and non-collected waste,” the trade union said.
The DA and the Eff did not respond to requests for comments.
loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za
Loyiso Sidimba
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