Official to fight 'porn firing'

2005-09-07 21:39

Sizwe samaYende

Nelspruit - A former municipal official who was fired for storing pornographic material on his computer and for financial irregularities has appealed against his dismissal.

Former chief finance manager of the Ehlanzeni district municipality in Nelspruit, Gerhard Landman, appeared before an appeal tribunal on Friday.

"The tribunal chairperson will inform us of the outcome in due course," said acting Ehlanzeni municipal manager Nelson Mkhatshwa.

Landman was fired in February for apparently storing pornographic material on a municipal computer, and for allegedly irregularly approving loans and making wrongful payments.

Massive financial irregularities at the council prompted Mpumalanga local government and housing MEC Jabu Mahlangu to appoint two caretaker administrators to take charge of the council last year.

'Gross irregularities'

A damning forensic report by auditing firm KPMG exposed gross irregularities at the municipality that led to a R4m loss in a dubious investment scheme, a R2.5m loss in an irregular commission paid to Ehlanzeni's brokers, and massive irregular 'performance bonuses' and overtime payments to senior officials.

Municipal manager Thoko Mashiane resigned in February before a disciplinary hearing against her was concluded.

Ehlanzeni has since bounced back from the brink of financial collapse.

The municipality has boosted its bank balance by nearly R60m since last year.

In January last year, the municipality had a balance of only R1.7m and was unable to pay its employees.

But, by July 31 this year, the bank balance had risen to R59.4m.

Ehlanzeni administers Mpumalanga's Lowveld region, which incorporates the provincial capital, Nelspruit, and other smaller towns such as Lydenburg, Malelane, Komatipoort, Barberton, Pilgrim's Rest, White River, Hazyview, Sabie and Graskop.

- African Eye