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Municipal CFO’s dual role under fire

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A Thembelihle councillor said that he was using his personal funds to ensure that the local municipality made lawful appointments and adhered to its regulations.

A Thembelihle councillor believes that “illegal council decisions” are being passed by the majority ANC council, leaving him with no option but to approach the court. File picture

A THEMBELIHLE councillor, Leonard Makenna, stated that he was using his personal funds to ensure that the local municipality made lawful appointments and adhered to its regulations.

Makenna withdrew an application in the Northern Cape High Court on October 16 to interdict a special council meeting due to the absence of an agenda.

“Arguments were being presented in court when a message was received to say that the meeting had been cancelled,” he explained.

Makenna was due to return to the Northern Cape High Court on Friday to seek a ruling declaring the appointment of the chief financial officer (CFO) as the acting municipal manager unlawful.

He expressed concern that the acting appointment, extended on October 4, posed a serious conflict of interest.

Makenna highlighted that the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Bentley Vass, had advised the municipality that the CFO was expected to advise an accounting officer on financial matters.

In court papers, Makenna pointed out that the CFO was implicated in allegations of corruption and maladministration.

He argued that holding both positions created opportunities for corruption, fraud, and maladministration, as the CFO would essentially be accountable only to himself.

Makenna added that the municipality was in disarray, with no services being rendered.

He further stated that an official should not hold an acting position for more than three months, yet the CFO had been in the role since July.

Makenna believed that the acting appointment exposed the municipality to financial risks.

He also stated that “illegal council decisions” were being passed by the majority ANC council, leaving him with no option but to approach the court.

Coghsta did not respond to media enquiries at the time of publication.

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