The ActionSA Free State Chairperson Patricia Kopane rejects a proposed reinstatement of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality mayor Thanduxolo Khalipa which accused for financial mismanagement and maladministration.
On Monday,she made it clear that she is totally against the reinstatement of the controversial mayor up until a full investigation is conducted into the municipality's finances and governance.
She said ActionSA strongly condemns the proposed reinstatement of Matjhabeng Local Municipality Mayor,Councillor Thanduxolo Khalipa and reiterates our long-standing call for a full investigation into the municipality's finances and governance.This decision,despite serious allegations of financial mismanagement and maladministration,would underscore the culture of impunity that continues to undermine service delivery in the Free State.
ActionSA has been pursuing the matter of Matjhabeng Local Municipality for a while now since and has approached the Office of the Public Protector requesting it to investigate the allegations against Thanduxolo Khalipa which involved his lavish lifestyle and housing upgrades.
On 6 November 2023,Kopane revealed that Khalipa was accused of having of the Municipality's service provider to build his R3.4 million mansion and that the service provider's daughter allegedly works in his office.
Back on November 2023,ActionSA wrote a letter to the Auditor-General,Tsakani Maluleka requesting her to further investigate the municipality's leadership,governance,financial and performance management in terms of sections 4(1) and (3) of the Public Audit Act(PAA).
ActionSA in that province mentioned that they chose to write to Auditor-General after their request to invoke section 139(5) of the Constitution pertaining Matjhabeng Municipality was ignored by then COGTA MEC,Ketso Makume.
She even highlighted that as ActionSA wrote an open letter to former Premier,Mxolisi Dukwana requesting to alert him that Matjhabeng Local Municipality was on the brink of collapse because of Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipa.
She even mentioned that the concerns raised by COSATU further highlight the severity of the situation.The union has correctly pointed out that Matjhabeng's financial collapse has left workers unpaid,services in disarray,and residents abandoned.Instead of addressing these concerns,the ANC is once again prioritising internal political interests over the needs of the people.
She vowed that ActionSA will not sit back and would do whatever it takes to make sure that an investigation is performed in that municipality,and also would not allow the return of Khalipa.
She said ActionSA will not allow this reckless governance to continue unchallenged.We will continue to push for a full forensic investigation into Matjhabeng's finances and explore legal avenues to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.The reinstatement of failed leadership cannot be allowed to stand.
She is even requesting the provincial government to act on the interest of the residents of Matjhabeng and stop shielding someone who created that mess exist in that municipality.
She said we call on the provincial government to take decisive action and put the interests of Matjhabeng's residents first.The people deserve a municipality that serves them,not one that protects those responsible for its downfall.
She concluded that ActionSA remains committed to restoring accountability,good governance,and service delivery in Matjhabeng.