EMBATTLED Mbombela municipal manager Jacob Dladla has been fired and his post will soon be advertised.

After two years of failing to deal with the matter, the ANC yesterday decided to dismiss Dladla , pictured, with immediate effect during a special council sitting.

Mbombela executive mayor Lassy Chiwayo later told journalists that Dladla was fired after being found guilty on five charges, including insubordination and failing to exercise proper oversight over payments to various 2010 project contractors.

"In the interest of service delivery, we have decided to dismiss Dladla with immediate effect. His post will be advertised soon and until then, the acting municipal manager will continue acting," Chiwayo said.

He refused to comment on whether more heads would roll or if Dladla was the only culprit.

Dladla's case was delayed by divisions within the municipality after former executive mayor Justice Ntsibande refused to sign his suspension letter.

This was after the council decided to charge him with mismanagement, which included his appointment of the provincial 2010 World Cup coordinator, Differ Mogale, while he allegedly did not have the authority to do so.

Mogale was appointed by Dladla in November 2007 at an annual salary of R480 000.

Mogale was fired after serving only two months of his five-year contract but later reinstated following ANC intervention.

The council ruled that Dladla had appointed Mogale irregularly and had failed to exercise proper oversight over payments to various 2010 contractors.

The investigation also found that Dladla had deliberately disregarded a council resolution and signed Mogale's employment contract.

Chiwayo said no criminal charges would be laid against Dladla because the municipality wants to close this chapter.