Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

The Greater Tzaneen municipality in Limpopo is investigating allegations that two of its directors are campaigning to make the municipality ungovernable.

It has appointed a Thohoyandou investigating firm to probe the allegations.

Solly Mokhashoa, an ANC bigwig and communications and marketing director, and Vincent Maake, director of community services in the municipality, are being investigated for alleged misconduct.

They will appear before a disciplinary hearing on Friday to justify why they should not be suspended.

Maake and Mokhashoa are said to have mobilised employees not to support municipal programmes and influenced residents not to pay for services.

According to a document obtained by Sowetan, the two were allegedly heard giving out false information that was damaging to the institution in the province.

The document also claims Mokhashoa and Maake influenced councillors to support certain political agendas, causing division in the ANC, and refused to execute orders by their seniors.

Sources within the municipality yesterday said Mokhashoa and Maake, both "diehard" Mbeki supporters, have on more than one occasion been seen exchanging political information of the municipality with other people.

"Mokhashoa was simply crucified for releasing sensitive information to the media about another political bigwig who is allegedly supporting a different political camp," said the sources.

But Mokhashoa dismissed the allegations.

"This is more political than work related," Mokhashoa said yesterday.

"They want to suspend me because I know about their wayward schemes to milk the municipality by awarding contracts to their friends in exchange for kickbacks.

"They also want to suspend me because they know I don't support Cassel Mathale for the ANC chairmanship in the province and as premier of Limpopo for obvious reasons."