The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) called on the Gauteng MEC for Local Government, Mr Jacob Mamabolo, to intervene after the Deputy Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Mr Eugene Modise, was sanctioned with only a fine equivalent to two months’ salary following serious irregularities.
This follows the governing ANC/ActionSA/EFF coalition’s own admission that Mr Modise was found guilty of benefiting financially, through his company, Triotic Protection Services, from a municipal security contract.
In its official correspondence to Mamabola, the Freedom Front Plus argues that this so-called disciplinary measure contravenes provisions of the Municipal Structures Act, the Municipal Systems Act and the Municipal Finance Management Act.
The legislation clearly stipulates that a councillor who derives financial benefit from municipal contracts must be removed from office, and that a fine does not constitute a lawful punitive sanction in such circumstances.
The Freedom Front Plus, furthermore, requests Mamabola in writing to investigate those councillors who supported the imposition of the fine as, in terms of the Municipal Systems Act, they should also be held accountable for unauthorised, irregular or fruitless decisions.
The Freedom Front Plus unequivocally states that its councillors voted against the decision. Moreover, the party will keep demanding full compliance with legislation and that irregularities be referred to law enforcement agencies, while striving to restore integrity in Tshwane’s administration.
