Lentswe, Klerksdorp - Matlosana Municipality CFO will stay in her position despite being criminally charged with corruption.
In a council meeting on Tuesday February 13 the ANC, supported by the EFF, defended the decision not to suspend Mercy Phetla, saying she is innocent until proven guilty. Cllr Gerhard Strydom said the fact that she is standing trial for corruption means that according to the regulations, there is reasonable cause that an act of misconduct has been committed. The DA called for the special council meeting proposing that she be suspended from her position and barred from entering the municipal building until the criminal investigation is finalised.
“The message from the ANC to the community is that fraud and corruption within the ANC are encouraged and protected,’’ Strydom said.
In response, Ntswaki Makgetha, municipal spokesperson, said it is misleading for the DA to claim that ANC is abusing its majority when the decision not to suspend the CFO was deterred by the majority of Councillors including EFF and ACDP. “The City of Matlosana strongly believes in the rule of law and has an obligation to conduct its business within the confines of the law.’’
