Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

A manager in the mayor's office of Mookgophong local municipality in Limpopo has been suspended without a hearing.

A reliable source told Sowetan yesterday that Khoro Mathivha was suspended last Wednesday.

He had gone to attend his aunt's funeral in Venda and on his return was informed by junior officials in mayor Sarah Lamola's office that he had been suspended.

He was astonished to be greeted by news of his suspension.

According to sources, the municipal manager authorised Mathivha's departure.

The suspension letter was sent to Mathivha's sister's residence in Ivy Park, Polokwane, by courier.

Sowetan is in possession of the suspension letter.

It does not indicate any charges against him.

According to Elelwani Mathivha, his sister, the letter was delivered by a courier company.

On opening the letter, she got the shock of her life when she realised that her brother had been suspended.

In terms of the Labour Relations Act and the Collective Bargaining Agreement that govern municipalities, an employee must be given a chance to state his side of the story before being suspended.

Mathivha's second-in-command and municipal spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka has also been suspended. Like his boss, Seshoka was also not informed about the reasons for his suspension.

It was also not mentioned how long their suspensions would be for, but both Mathivha and Seshoka are still receiving their salaries while doing nothing.

Approached for comment yesterday, an angry Mokgadi Kgatla, the municipal manager, hung up the phone when she realised it was Sowetan that was calling.