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Angry residents demand better service delivery in the Sol Plaatje district municipality.
Embattled Sol Plaatje Municipal Manager, Thapelo Matlala has taken a 30-day leave period, following mounting pressure from civil society organisations (CSOs) to have him suspended by the executive council.
Since Tuesday, leaders of CSOs have called for the suspension of Matlala following allegations of corruption, maladministration and interference with supply chain processes against him.
CSOs accuse Mayor Martha Bartlett and Speaker Dipuo Peters of shielding Matlala and have vowed it will no longer be business as usual at the Sol Plaatje Municipality until Matlala is officially suspended. They are accusing all councillors of failing in their oversight role and of being compromised.
On Sunday, leaders of CSOs opened a criminal case against Matlala, following a weekly newspaper report that published a damning story about the alleged unprocedural appointment of Matlala and his allegedly corrupt ways.
Council has decided to give Matlala seven days to state his side of the story and why he shouldn’t be placed on suspension.
This move has been rejected by those calling for his head.
Sol Plaatje Municipality | Call for municipal manager to be removed
Tumelo Mosiakae, a community leader, says they engaged with the Speaker after their council meeting. “They explained to us what led to the seven-day period, but as things stand, we still, as a collective, want Matlala to be gone. It can’t be that the man is accused of so many things, yet the council remains undecided.”
Political parties expressed mixed reactions about the outcome of today’s council meeting.
EFF leader Pontsho Mocwana says, “They are not pleased with the outcome because they thought today would be about what is in the interest of the masses who are complaining. But say they respect the law and they will wait for Matlala to answer for himself.”
DA leader Heinrich Pieterse, “We are content with the decision taken today, we will wait for seven days and see what the way forward is.”
Meanwhile, the executive council says it has considered the allegations levelled against Matlala and regards them as serious. It maintains, however, that everything must be done by the book.
Acting Municipal Manager, Kgosiebonya Bogachwi says it was a good decision for the manager to be given a week to answer for himself about the alleged corruption.”
The Municipality plans to rope in private investigators to probe all allegations against its manager and says it will allow the law to take its course.
Meanwhile, CSOs say they will wait the seven days afforded to Matlala to explain himself, but if the Council fails to act decisively, they will be directed by the residents.
STATEMENT ON PUBLIC ALLEGATIONS LEVELLED AGAINST THE
MUNICIPAL MANAGER, MR. THAPELO MATLALA pic.twitter.com/iOHdhRcdAr— Sol Plaatje Municipality (@SolMunicipality) August 25, 2025
