Alfred Moselakgomo

Alfred Moselakgomo

The Johannesburg labour court on Friday postponed a case of unfair labour practice against Mbombela Municipality to Wednesday because municipal lawyers needed more time to study the case.

This was after the municipal speaker, Jacob Dladla, who was last week served with a letter placing him on compulsory leave, went to court to appeal against the council decision.

But the matter was postponed because the municipality's lawyers needed more time.

In November last year, Dladla defied the council's resolution that he go on compulsory leave after an investigation was instituted against him.

But last week the embattled municipal manager was served with another letter forcing him to go on leave until March 15.

The council had earlier resolved that Dladla be placed on leave until January 31 while an investigation of mismanagement against him was undertaken.

But the municipal mayor, Justice Ntsibande, refused to sign the letter and Dladla continued with his duties.

Dladla's accusations arose from last year's allegations which included his alleged appointing of the provincial 2010 World Cup coordinator, Differ Mogale, while he did not have the authority to do so.

It is alleged that Mogale was appointed by Dladla in November last year at a reported annual salary of R480000.

Mogale was fired after serving only two months of his five-year contract.

This was after an investigation by the council had found that the contract between the municipality, Mogale and Dladla was invalid.

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

The investigation found that Dladla had deliberately disregarded a council resolution and signed Mogale's employment contract. The appointment was referred back to him by the council for clarification.

The council decided that the position of the 2010 coordinator was a Section 57 post, meaning that only the council can make the appointment.