Mopani District Municipality spokesperson, Odas Ngobeni.
The cash-strapped Mopani district municipality is still struggling to recuperate money that was erroneously paid to councilors and other employees.
According to Municipal manager, Tshepo Mogano, the payments total was R4 531 840.19, of which R1,917,398.66 was paid to Extended Public Work Programme beneficiaries, who accounted for 42% of the overpayment, councillors were paid R665,840.61 while the remainder was paid to senior managers and other officials, including deputy managers in December 2023.
It is understood that to this day, just over R696 000 has been recovered, which is 15% of the over payments made.
Such flawed transactions at Mopani has been a recurrence for quite sometimes, resulting in political standoffs in the tumultuous council.
During a special council sitting, it was resolved that all overpayments of salaries made to councillors and some employees must be repaid in full by the end of January.
However, only a meagre amount of the overpayments was recouped and the matter has now been referred to the Financial Misconduct Board for further investigation.
An employee, who opted to speak on the basis of anonymity said “The double salary payment was like manna from heaven… About 51 councillors and 210 of our employees received double salary payments on December 20 and it was a welcomed Christmas Bonus.”
“Some people spent the money on groceries, expensive booze at nightclubs, Christmas gifts for our families and tailored clothes. Others had a great lifetime experience at the Kruger Park and a trip to top-notch sea sides in Durban and Cape Town. “We were told to return the money this January. I have already paid back the money, but I cannot say the same about my comrades.”
Municipal spokesperson, Odas Ngobeni said the municipality is adamant that this was just a mistake.
He said “The firm position of the council is that consequence management will have to be applied to everyone found to have acted in a manner that is not in compliance with applicable policies and legislation. Council holds the view that the report from the Financial Management Board will help strengthen the internal control measures and enhance good governance. Council will monitor the implementation of the financial recovery plan and the consequences management plan.”
However, opposition parties in the council demand that consequence management be applied as soon as possible.
Cope Council caucus leader Manjaro Senyolo said it was worrying that the payment errors are becoming a recurrence in Mopani without any punitive measures.
“In the past three years, millions were overpaid to service providers and councilors coincidentally always during the festive season. Some councillors have already joined their ancestors while some service providers continue to get lucrative tenders from the municipality while still owing” said Senyolo.
He went on to say “I suspect there’s more to it than meets the eye. This malfeasance should be elevated to the Hawks for further investigations.”
Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance has called for payback of duplicated salary payments.
DA Councillor, Mahlatswa Lebeus Ramalepe said his party was deeply concerned about the erroneous double salary payments made and that those found guilty should face consequences.
“The DA strongly condemns the municipality’s indifferent approach in handling this matter and insists on urgent consequence management for all officials responsible for such gross negligence. Furthermore, the DA calls upon all councillors who received these illegal payments to promptly return the money. Notably, DA councillors have led by example by initiating immediate repayment.
“The DA has written to the Municipal Manager, Tshepo Mogano, requesting a comprehensive cost recovery plan and urgent communication of banking details for the return of the duplicated payments to the council. We will closely monitor the process of retrieving the double pay and will ensure that consequence management is implemented to hold responsible officials accountable to protect the residents and rate payers against ANC incompetence. This stance by the DA emphasises its commitment to upholding accountability, safeguarding public trust, and ensuring the restoration of financial integrity within the municipality’ said Ramalepe.