Grahamstown residents made the most of a rare visit by Public Protector, advocate Thuli Madonsela, last weekend , putting the Mayor and the Council Speaker in the spotlight about their involvement in the unauthorised signing of a R3 million settlement to a former municipal manager.
Grahamstown residents made the most of a rare visit by Public Protector, advocate Thuli Madonsela, last weekend , putting the Mayor and the Council Speaker in the spotlight about their involvement in the unauthorised signing of a R3 million settlement to a former municipal manager.
Sitting between Makana Municipality's Executive Mayor Zamuxolo Peter and Council Speaker Rachel Madinda-Isaac during the meeting, the Public Protector was posed some difficult questions.
United Front Convenor Lungile Mxube raised the issue about Madinda-Isaac’s involvement in signing an agreement to pay Pravine Naidoo's settlement, despite her not having the authority to do so.
In 2013, it emerged that Madinda-Isaac signed an agreement granting Naidoo a R3m settlement to Naidoo plus R100 000 in legal costs, without the consent of other Makana Council members.
The payment was Naidoo’s settlement for an old dispute with Makana Municipality arising from his previous term as municipal manager.
Following Mxube’s questions, the secretary of the Grahamstown Residents’ Association Jock McConnachie, added that the Speaker and the Mayor were also implicated in the Kabuso forensic audit report.
Keeping mum
In response, Madonsela thanked the residents for their questions, but said it was not her place to comment on politics.
The Public Protector said her office was happy to assist with any issues where public servants are involved in corruption, or those who unlawfully enrich themselves. She reminded citizens to follow the relevant complaints procedure before contacting her office.
Madonsela comments on Rhodes Must Fall
Speaking on the controversial subject of the removal and defacing of statues, Madonsela said universities must become the leaders of healing.
She said people must always remember that what they consider normal might offend the next person.
Madonsela said the important thing was that the issues raised by the students must be handled in the light of the Constitution and be done ethically.
"I have always thought that young people are the conscience of a country," she said.
Grahamstown residents praised Madonsela for her dedication to her job and for being fearless.
Mxube expressed appreciation to Madonsela for her visit and thanked her for revealing "the uncomfortable truth" in various cases.
