The Theunissen-based Masilonyana municipality has lodged an urgent court application to prevent the sheriff from attaching municipal property valued at more than R1 million, following its failure to pay money owed to its former legal manager, Itumeleng Mogaecho. He successfully won a constructive dismissal case against the municipality.

The municipality had been given until Monday (27/10) to pay the outstanding amount, but failed to comply. In response, the sheriff served notice of an attachment of assets, which included a Ford Ranger valued at approximately R750,000, a Suzuki bakkie worth about R250,000, and a Toyota Yaris estimated at R70,000, among other items.

An urgent application had been filed to halt the execution, said municipal spokesperson Zongezile Ntjwaebule, adding the municipality is still awaiting the outcome of a review application related to the same matter. The urgent hearing between Masilonyana, Mogaecho, and the South African Local Government Bargaining Council is scheduled for Friday (31/10).

This is not the first time the ailing municipality has found itself in such a predicament. Earlier this year, the sheriff attached municipal assets worth more than R450,000 in a similar case involving Mogaecho. 

The ongoing disputes between the former employee and the municipality stem from allegations of misconduct, unfair treatment, and noncompliance with the council’s awards.

Mogaecho’s troubles with Masilonyana began in February 2023 when he was first suspended by former acting municipal manager Michelle Sello. His suspension was extended twice by successive municipal managers. 

Mogaecho maintains his suspension came after he submitted reports exposing alleged irregularities involving Sello and former municipal manager Lungile Mokoteli. The municipality was ordered to pay damages for wrongful dismissal by this month, following separate findings of unfair labour practices and unfair dismissal. 

The council was also instructed to pay further compensation for labour-related transgressions by 31 October, but reportedly failed to comply, prompting the latest enforcement action from the sheriff. 

Meanwhile, Mogaecho has laid criminal charges against current municipal manager Mojalefa Matlole and former acting manager Sello, accusing them of financial irregularities linked to his pension fund. He alleges the pair failed to make the required pension contributions during his tenure at Masilonyana between 2021 and February last year. 

The special investigating unit launched a probe into alleged maladministration and misconduct within Masilonyana in September last year, amid growing concern over the municipality’s governance failures. The ailing municipality has repeatedly made headlines for corruption, poor financial management, and service delivery collapse. 

MPs have described Masilonyana as being “run into the ground” by officials “skilled to loot”, echoing long-standing public frustration. Matlole recently acknowledged the municipality’s dire financial state, confirming its massive third-party debt and inability to meet several financial obligations.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh