North West leader approved sale of municipal property
Mayor of Lekwa-Teemane municipality in North West Kagiso Palagangwe has been deposed after a motion of no confidence amid an investigation against him by the administrator on
claims that he sold municipal land to his wife, whom he married in community of property.
The details emerged last week after the administrator, Gobakwang Moatshe, sent the mayor a letter informing him that he was under investigation over the sale of municipal land to his wife Merian Fetsang Mokoka.
In the letter dated March 16 and seen by Sunday World, the administrator said the mayor and municipal manager Ndoda Mgengo concluded a deed of sale agreement with Mokoka on February 11 2015.
In the same letter, the administrator states that even though Mokoka had initially made an inquiry with the municipality about the same property in 2013, while her husband was still
a councillor, he said it was puzzling that the mayor had signed off on the deed of sale two years later knowing that it was for the benefit of his wife.
“The effect of the sale is that since the mayor is married in community of property with
Mrs Marian Fetsang Mokoka, the mayor sold half a portion of the property to himself. It is a serious conflict of interest for the mayor to buy municipal property where he is the mayor.
It is a gross irregularity in this matter because the deed of sale, which was signed in 2015 on behalf of the municipality, was signed by the mayor himself,” reads the letter.
The administrator said the conduct of the mayor was not only wrong, but against the code of conduct for councillors as contained in the Municipal System Act 32 of 2000, which stipulates that no councillor may be a party to, or a beneciary under a contract for the provision of goods and services for any municipality or any municipal entity established
by a municipality.
It further states that a councillor may not use, take or acquire or benefit from any municipal property or assets owned, controlled or managed by a municipality to which the councillor has no right.
The administrator said the allegations were serious and he was going to confirm with the council if it was aware of the sale of municipal land to the mayor’s wife.
The mayor was given three days to respond to the allegations.
Sunday World has learnt that while awaiting the mayor’s response, the DA, led by Theo Gerber, tabled of motion of no confidence against the mayor.
The motion, according to councillors who attended the special council sitting, succeeded after it was supported by both ANC and EFF councillors.
It is understood that other councillors walked out of the sitting after realising that the matter was to be decided through a secret ballot. However, this did not deter those who remained as seven out of 10 councillors supported the motion.
Moatshe confirmed that Palagangwe was removed during a special council sitting on Thursday.
He said his office was aslo investigating allegations of the irregular sale of the municipal property.
“The mayor asked for an extension to respond to the letter, saying that he needed to consult with his lawyers first,” said Moatshe.
Palagangwe said: “I confirm that I was removed [on Thursday] through a motion of no confidence … I further confirm that I received a letter from the administrator informing me about the investigation.”
