MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – The disciplinary hearing of the suspended municipal manager, Mr Reuben Rambado, took a dramatic turn this week when Council withdrew all charges in exchange for Rambado’s resignation.

At a meeting on Monday, the executive committee resolved to withdraw all charges against Rambado and to pay him a severing package of R836 400 in terms of his employment contract as full and final settlement.

From this amount, the outstanding balance on a site, a Land Rover vehicle, an insurance premium on the vehicle and the balance on a vehicle bought at an auction, as well as the balance of a personal loan for the erection of a security fence - assets owed by Rambado to the municipality - could be deducted.

It was reliably established that this deed of settlement was signed by both parties on Monday. The agreement will be regarded as a letter of resignation by Rambado, upon payment by the municipality. In the meantime, he will remain suspended on full payment of salary.

Rambado was suspended, with full salary, in accordance with an executive committee resolution on July 1 this year. The resolution followed the report by a controversial committee of councillors in accordance with the Mayor’s 100 days programme to investigate allegations of corruption, nepotism, misconduct and mismanagement against councillors and officials of the Makhado Municipality. The committee was wrapped in controversy as a result of its alleged questionable and one-sided composition.

The executive committee resolved on July 27 to establish a disciplinary tribunal to conduct an enquiry “on all persons implicated in the investigation report of having committed misconduct.”

The disciplinary enquiry for the municipal manager was scheduled for September 29 to October 8. Council opted on Monday to settle the matter in order to minimize the cost which could have been incurred, had the disciplinary process continued.

In the meantime, it could not be established what the fate will be of the rest of the “persons implicated” by the investigation.