SEEING that the allegations of the theft of R1,6million by alleged robbers have gone a long way in denting the image of the institution, the Bela-Bela municipality has suspended four officials alleged to be implicated in the matter.

The well-calculated move is also perceived as a way of swaying attention from the service delivery protests that have rocked the area recently.

But residents have also called on mayor Henrietta Ledwaba and municipal manager Sam Bambo to step down.

Spokesperson for the municipality Matome Sebelebele confirmed yesterday that the four were suspended with full pay to allow for a full investigation into their alleged activities.

Though Sebelebele refused to identify the officials concerned, he, however, indicated that they were two divisional managers responsible for traffic and revenue, and two junior officials in the traffic department.

Two of the officials were given their charge sheets yesterday while another one received his on Friday last week.

As for the remaining official, the municipality is still formulating the charges against him, said Sebelebele.

"October 19 and 26 have been set aside for the hearings, and we hope to finalise the investigations as soon as possible," Sebelebele said.