Mafikeng mayor fired

2003-04-23 21:47

Johannesburg - The ANC in the North West said on Wednesday it would restructure the leadership of the Mafikeng municipality after allegations of irregularities were levelled against the town's administration.

The party's provincial spokesperson Siphiwe Ngwenya said allegations of mal-administration, financial irregularities and poor political leadership had had a negative effect on the service delivery of the African National Congress-led municipality.

"This has necessitated political intervention by the provincial leadership of the ANC," he said in a statement released in Mafikeng, which is also the provincial capital of the North West.

"After several consultations and careful consideration of the problems and in the interest of good governance and service delivery, the ANC has decided to restructure the municipality."

The speaker and the mayor would be replaced while the mayoral committee would be strengthened. Senior members of the ANC from the national assembly would be appointed as mayor and speaker.

Ngwenya said the names of the new appointees would be announced as soon as all the legal requirements regarding the restructuring have been completed.

He said the political intervention would not interfere with the investigation which was underway into the various allegations levelled at the current council members.

The investigation, which included a forensic audit, was being conducted under the supervision of the North West MEC for local government and housing, Darkie Africa.

"We are confident that the measures taken by the ANC will enable the local municipality of Mafikeng to carry out its mandate, both in terms of the law and the commitments set out in our local election manifesto of the year 2000."

Ngwenya said the problems in the municipality were discovered earlier this year.

- SAPA