“No law enforcement agency contacted me,” was the comment of the municipal manager of the Makhado Municipality. This after the Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association (SRPA) requested the Makhado SAPS to investigate criminal charges against him.

The request was made by the SRPA on 24 January and the local station commander, Col Francis Ramovha, signed acknowledgement of receipt and said that the investigation would probably be undertaken by the commercial unit in Polokwane. The SRPA said that the investigation of criminal charges against Mr Shadrack Tshikalange in his capacity as municipal manager and accounting officer of the municipality was in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act and according to the auditor general's report for the financial year ending 30 June 2010.

The alleged acts of financial misconduct were spelt out in a letter to Tshikalange. The letter was compiled by the SRPA and was dated 14 November last year, but was not responded to in the prescribed 30-day period. The SRPA also addressed a letter in this regard to the Public Protector. 

Last week, Tshikalange told the Zoutpansberger that he would give his comment on the matter on Friday, 27 January.

The municipal spokesperson, Mr Louis Bobodi, responded on 31 January on his behalf. Bobodi said that neither the municipality nor Tshikalange had been contacted by any law enforcement agency. He said that the municipality only became “aware of the criminal charges against him” (municipal manager) after reading the Zoutpansberger.

“Even if it can later be confirmed by the law enforcement agency that criminal charges were pressed against him on the above issue, the municipality will not be in a position to comment as the matter will then be sub judice,” Bobodi stated.