It is unclear whether or not the Makhado Municipality decided to suspend the municipal manager, Ms Faith Muthambi, last Thursday, April 24.

Council was to decide whether or not to suspend Muthambi following allegations of mismanagement and maladministration with regard to a tender awarded to a close friend of her in October 2006 for the rehabilitation of a street in Waterval.

Council, however, did not take a decision on the matter last week and merely resolved that the municipality’s executive committee (Exco) be delegated with the power to dispose of and finalise the matter quickly. On Friday, April 25, Exco met and once again, amongst others, resolved to suspend the municipal manager as a precautionary measure pending the findings and recommendation of the investigation against her. According to the Exco agenda, this suspension was to come into effect on April 29.

On April 29 there was, however, still no indication whether Muthambi had been suspended or not. On Wednesday, the Zoutpansberger tried on numerous occasions to elicit a response from, amongst others, the mayor and chief whip of the ANC, but was unable to reach them. Contact was made with one member of Exco, but he refused to comment on the situation, referring the issue back to the mayor.

The Zoutpansberger did manage to speak to Muthambi herself, but she also declined to comment on the present state of affairs, merely stating that, by then, she had not heard anything from Council yet.

At the time of going to press, the Zoutpansberger did receive a press release from Democratic Alliance councillor Jacques Smalle.

"As the DA in Louis Trichardt, we are pleased to inform the citizens of the town that we have concluded on the matter regarding alleged maladministration on tender developments in council. The executive committee has given the Municipal Manager 24 days of special leave to investigate the above matters.

"The DA requested for an external forensic investigation into this matter and the previous three financial book years of the Municipality. Due to the financial implications it could have for the council if such an investigation should go wrong or not be done correctly, we will demand that some of the leading investigation firms be approached.

"One of the other proposals we also put forward was that she be suspended as a precautionary measure until Council has concluded its investigation in order to have a hearing within 60 days. As the DA, we feel when you implicate someone, proper procedures and ample time should be given for such an investigation," the statement reads.