Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

Senior officials of the beleaguered Greater Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality in Limpopo are furiously pointing fingers at each other after the newly appointed municipal manager failed to pitch up for her new job.

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the former spokesman for Limpopo premier Ngwako Ramatlhodi, was appointed last month as the new manager of the troubled mining town of Ba-Phalaborwa.

Her appointment letter stated that she would start with her new job on December 1.

But acting municipal manager Anderson Mudunungu said yesterday that Ntshavheni failed to pitch up for her new job yesterday.

Her failure to arrive at work has divided the municipality into two groups - those in favour and those against her appointment.

Those who are against her appointment threatened yesterday to plunge the municipality into deeper turmoil.

Sowetan published a story last month in which a senior official from Trade and Investment Limpopo confirmed Ntshavheni was studying in Canada.

"Our department has offered Ntshavheni a R1million scholarship to study in Canada. She could only be expected back in the country in December next year," said the official.

Meanwhile, municipal spokesman Elliot Ramachela said Ntshavheni has accepted the job offer as manager. "We are still in talks with her as to when she will start. She still has to serve a notice at her previous job," said Ramachela.

But the Speaker of the council, David Maake, was distressed at Ntshavheni's failure to report for work.

Maake said the council will have to sit and discuss the future of the municipality if Ntshavheni does not pitch up.

Meanwhile, Mudunungu, who is still acting as municipal manager, has been accused of sexually harassing his secretary on Valentine's Day.