Mr Masala Makumule was appointed as the new municipal manager of the Thulamela Local Municipality at the beginning of October.

Makumule acted as municipal manager from February, after the suspension of the previous municipal manager, Mr Hlengani Maluleke. Maluleke became the scapegoat for Thulamela Municipality’s illegal investment in the fraud-ridden VBS Mutual Bank. Maluleke and the former Thulamela mayor, Cllr Avhashoni Tshifhango, face charges of corruption after the VBS debacle.

Makumule, who was previously appointed as senior manager of planning at the municipality, promised to perform his new duties to the best of his ability. “The task before me is huge, but I’m happy that I have a dedicated team of councillors and officials who will help me to realise my dream of improving service delivery to the people of Thulamela. Although there are some challenges that the municipality is facing, it gives me courage because there are some areas where we are doing very well in terms of service delivery. I’m ready to steer this ship in the right direction for the benefit of all the people of Thulamela,” he said.

Before joining Thulamela Municipality, he worked as chief planner of rural development and land affairs from 1999 to 2002, senior manager of development planning at the former Mutale Municipality from 2002 to 2003, as manager at the Vhembe District Municipality from 2011 to 2014, and as lecturer of urban and regional planning at Univen from 2015 to 2019.

Makumule obtained his master’s degree in Urban Management from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Netherlands, his master of science in development planning from Wits, and his BA Hons at Univen.

The spokesperson of the Thulamela Municipality, Mr Nndwamato Tshiila, said filling all senior management positions to make sure that the municipality delivered services effectively was important. “Given the fact that he is not new to local government, coupled with his proven leadership qualities and academic excellence, we are confident beyond doubt that Makumule is the right man to occupy this position,” he added.