THE executive mayor of eMakhazeni Municipality in Mpumalanga has called an urgent meeting with the local authority's chief financial officer to get to the bottom of his pending criminal case.

Mayor Hamzer Ngwenya sprang into action following a Sowetan report about a pending case against Jeffrey Maake, who has just been appointed as the CFO by the municipality.

Ngwenya said he was not aware of the pending case against Maake until he read about it in the newspaper.

"I am still shocked. I was not aware of this case," he said.

Ngwenya said council would also engage police to get details of the theft allegations levelled against Maake.

Maake, a former Tzaneen municipal revenue division intern, allegedly stole R855000 from the Limpopo council between 2006 and 2009.

The Hawks arrested him in October last year and charged him with theft.

Maake is out on a R3000 bail and is expected to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate's Court soon.

The DA in the province condemned the appointment, saying a person responsible for the finances of any institution should be of the highest integrity.

"The fact that Mr Maake has this cloud of suspicion hanging over him is enough reason not to appoint him," said DA MPL, James Masango. "The point that the municipality is trying to make over Maake's presumed innocence until proven guilty is invalid. The municipality should wait until such time that Maake's case is concluded before he is appointed."

Masango asked what would happen should Maake be found found guilty. Would he be placed on fully paid suspension for a few years before being redeployed?

"This is yet another example of how the ANC protects its own, without any concern for the needs of the people.

"Maake's resumé has not been made available for scrutiny, which shows the ANC's jobs-for-pals campaign is continuing unabated," Masango said.