The Musina Municipal Council suspended its municipal manager, Mr Ntshavheni Abram Luruli, during a special sitting last Thursday.

The decision to suspend Luruli, according to the council, came after he had absconded from work for four months without permission from the council. It was revealed that Luruli had taken leave from 1 April and was supposed to have returned to work on 1 June, which he failed to do.  Instead, he reported to office on Friday, 11 November.

Before he was suspended, Luruli was served with a letter, after a resolution was taken on the intention to suspend him, during a council meeting held on 15 November. He was ordered to submit in writing why he thought the council should not suspend him. Luruli then responded and submitted a written response through his lawyer.

The controversial Luruli also faces charges of corruption, maladministration, failure to comply with the Municipal Finance Management Act and the unlawful awarding of tenders.

The spokesperson of the municipality, Mr Wilson Dzebu, confirmed Luruli's suspension on Monday. He admitted that Luruli was being investigated by the Special Investigation Unit. "The council suspended Luruli, following the findings and submission of a report to council by the Special Investigation Unit," he said.

According to him, the municipal manager has been suspended with full salary, until the finalisation of the allegations against him. He said that Luruli was therefore instructed to vacate his office. He can only enter the municipal buildings by appointment, "because the council feels that his presence at work might jeopardise the investigation and possibly interfere with potential witnesses."

"Upon receipt of the suspension letter, Luruli was ordered to hand in any of the municipality's property within his possession, including his official cellphone, laptop, his office keys and any official item that may be required for service delivery during the period of his suspension," Dzebu said.

Dzebu said he could not comment any further on the matter, as Luruli had sent his submissions through his lawyer. "The council is studying the submission through its lawyer and I cannot comment further until all legal processes have been finalized," he concluded.