Mangaung mayor to stay

2005-11-10 12:43

Bloemfontein - Embattled Mangaung mayor Papi Mokoena will stay on as mayor for now, Free State local government MEC Joel Mafereka said on Thursday.

Mafereka said he needed more clarity on certain matters before considering a report on Mokoena's possible removal as a councillor.

"I'm not in a position to finalise the matter due to the need for clarity on certain issues," Mafereka said in Bloemfontein.

"I need to know how independent was the investigation process followed, taking into account the criminal investigation and proceedings that are currently being conducted."

Mafereka said the report by the Mangaung council that was forwarded to him only made use of one source of information, namely the Scorpions' founding affidavit.

"In this case, the report is (also) not clear as to whether councillor Mokoena was afforded the opportunity to respond to the allegations," Mafereka said.

In the report that was submitted to Mafereka, the Mangaung city council recommended that Mokoena be removed as a councillor.

The report was accepted by the council last week.

The Scorpions arrested Mokoena, his wife Granny, city manager Mojalefa Matlole, chief operating officer Mzwandile Silwana, Speaker Zongezile Zumane and Mokoena's political adviser Jacob Thithi in July.

They face fraud and corruption charges, apparently involving millions of rands.

The court case was postponed to April 13, 2006, for further investigation.

- SAPA