Alfred Nzo District Municipality Mayor Suspended for Awarding Municipal Bursary to His Son

Alfred Nzo District Municipality Mayor, Sixolile Mehlomakhulu has been placed on a Two Month Precautionary Suspension on allegations that his office awarded a Municipal Bursary to his son.

The decision comes months after Alfred Nzo District Mayor’s office awarded a R65 000 bursary to his son to study at Wits University. Deputy Mayor Polelo Mohale has since been appointed as the acting Mayor of the embattled District Municipality. It has been alleged that the incident prompted cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC in the Eastern Cape to Launch an investigation that has been ongoing since May. The suspension was Confirmed by the MEC’s spook person Makhanya Komisa.

According to a report on News24, the municipality spokesperson Lixolile Petela confirmed that the suspension comes after the MEC tabled a report to council relating to an investigation his department launched into allegations of Mehlomakhulu’s involvement in awarding the bursary to his Son.

Patela added that the investigation by COGTA (Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs) further recommended that council established an expedient committee to conduct further investigation into the matter and advice council. Amid the establishment of such a committee, the MEC told the speaker that the suspension of the Executive Mayor is a way of ensuring the investigation process may not be disturbed by the suspended Mayor.

Simthembile Kulu the Council speaker tabled and presented the letter from Nqatha to the council on Thursday. The mayor’s suspension is of a period of two months pending the investigation this could be less or more depending on the investigation process.

Patela also told News24 that the speaker has further requested everyone involved in the investigation conduct themselves in a matter that does not temper with the rule of law. Patela advised the Speaker to ensures that everyone respects the constitutional rights to fairness and protection against unfair prejudice of each person involved in the investigation process.

The DA has welcomed the suspension and called on the guilty party to be brought to book.

The DA provincial Deputy chairperson Wonga Potwana demanded an investigation to unearth the depth of cancer in the Municipality which will in return revel the number of undeserving persons that have been awarded with bursaries in the Alfred Nzo District. He added that as the DA they welcome the caretaker Mayor Council Mohale.