Financially troubled Emfuleni municipality has confirmed that it is investigating why one of its employees pocketed R2.4-million while sitting at home.
On Wednesday, Sunday World reported that a senior engineering technician, Silence Munwai, has been receiving an annual salary of R597 022 with benefits while not working.
Munwai has been paid close to R2.4-million in the past four years by the municipality, raising concern in some quarters.
After the revelation, the Emfuleni municipality released a statement to clear the air.
In a statement on Thursday, Emfuleni municipality spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni said the Emfuleni municipality is attending to the matter.
“The Emfuleni municipality has noted questions around the unfortunate dispute between Mr S Munwai and Ms S Ngobeni, manager of parks and cemeteries,” said Sangweni.
“We can confirm that we are cognizant of the dispute and have taken steps to resolve the matter with immediate effect, as it happened four years ago.
“We have long undertaken an initiative to transfer Mr Munwai to the sports, recreation, arts and culture department to which he earlier agreed to and only to refuse later.”
Sangweni said Munwai stayed at home without authorisation while the matter was referred to the previous executive director for intervention, who left without resolving the matter.
“Mr Munwai has been submitting his attendance registers as a person who has been reporting for work,” said Sangweni.
“However, the Emfuleni municipality is yet to verify who was signing his timesheets, including the recent one for May. We are investigating all facts to bring this matter to its conclusion.”
Sunday World reported that there were claims that Munwai allegedly threatened to shoot and kill Ngobeni in May 2016.
The fallout between Munwai and Ngobeni was allegedly triggered by issues pertaining to the former being questioned by the latter on why he was always absent from work.
Ngobeni later filed a protection order against Munwai.
The shenanigans at Emfuleni municipality were revealed by Gauteng MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Mzi Khumalo while responding to written questions by DA member of provincial legislature Kingsol Chabalala.
“The DA demands that MEC Khumalo urgently intervene and resolve this dispute to curb any further loss of income by Emfuleni,” said Chabalala.
“In addition, the DA proposes that the Gauteng provincial government put measures in place to ensure disputes between managers and subordinates are resolved promptly.”
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