Alfred Moselakgomoand Eric Naki

Alfred Moselakgomoand Eric Naki

A political storm is brewing at Emalahleni local municipality after the council rescinded its decision to suspend the municipal manager for alleged tender irregularities.

Annanias Langa, who is also chairman of the municipality's bidding committee, was suspended two weeks ago pending an investigation into allegations that he had offered a tender to a Middleburg-based company that is linked to him.

The company was allegedly granted the tender although it did not attend a compulsory bidder's' meeting last May. About 120 bidding companies attended the meeting.

The tender is for a R26million project for the construction of a road between Klarinet and Verena.

After admitting to the irregular awarding of the tender, Langa withdraw the tender from the company.

Following a briefing by mayor Linah Malatji, the council decided to suspend Langa with full pay pending an investigation into the alleged irregularity.

But last week the council was forced to rescind that decision and reinstate Langa after the ANC Nkangala region ordered them to do so.

The ANC said Langa's suspension was unprocedural because the matter was not first discussed at its caucus before the action was taken against him.

The DA in the province condemned the ANC's decision to reinstate Langa, saying it undermined the council's autonomy.