More court drama at Fetakgomo-Tubatse municipality
More drama continues at the Fetakgomo-Tubatse municipality in Limpopo as senior officials drag each other to court. The council Speaker Vincent Shoba was dragged to court by the Municipal manager [MM] Joel Makgata for contempt of court after he decided to hold an urgent council meeting against the court order obtained by Makgata.
Apparently, the council meeting was held without MM being invited and was without the supporting documents supplied to the council members. The matter did not sit well with the Democratic Alliance councilors in the municipality.
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Limpopo Chronicle has learnt that the meeting which was chaired by the Speaker decided to approach court to set aside the interim court order that instructed them to reinstate the suspended Makgata. On the 06th February 2025 the Regional Court in Burgersfort ordered that Makgata be reinstated following the tag-war between him and the municipal council which led to him being suspended by council.
The court also interdicted the council including the Mayor Eddie Maila, Speaker of Council Vincent Shoba as well as the Police from interfering with Makgata’s work as the Accounting Officer. The Police and private security company working at the municipality were as well ordered to implement and enforce the aforementioned orders.
Just after resuming his work in office, Makgata wrote a letter directed to the entire senior manager within the municipality instructing them not to do any paperwork without his approval.
FETAKGOMO-TUBATSE MUNICIPALITY OFFICIALS DRAG EACH OTHER TO COURT
Democratic Alliance councilor Tumelo Molapo says the municipality’s powers were stripped by Shoba with his blatant disregard for the Standing Rules and Orders. He stated the council meetings are held virtually and the 48 hours notice to the members is mostly ignored, even the public is not invited or noticed.
“It is alleged that the Municipal Manager opened a case against the Speaker for being in contempt of the interim order following the council meeting. We call on the MEC of COGHTA to restore order in our council and remove the Speaker if he is incapable or unwilling to apply the Rules and Orders,” said Molapo.
The Municipal Spokeswoman Mahlako Komane says the Magistrate court order was set aside on Thursday. “Going forward we will not be commenting because the matter is still before another court,” she said.
