PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Two confidential investigations into questionable appointments in the Bitou Municipality have resulted in an investigation launched by Acting Municipal Manager Christopher Mapeyi.
The investigations by former CFO and senior manager of governance and compliance, Felix Lötter, came after a tip-off that came through the municipality's whistleblowing hotline.
Lötter's confidential reports in November last year revealed that three unqualified candidates had allegedly been appointed by Corporate Services director Adv Luvuyo Loliwe. Two of the appointments were made while Loliwe was acting as municipal manager.
These were Mbulelo Mbala as a senior fitter and Anele Loliwe, his brother, as a fitter. As corporate services director, Loliwe also oversees the Human Resources function.
Lötter's investigations were as a result of allegations of fraud received through the municipality's fraud hotline on 13 August 2025.
Nepotism
The leaked confidential reports were first highlighted in a statement by Patric Fepiwe, ActionSA's Garden Route regional chairperson, saying the Bitou Municipality's recruitment and selection processes have uncovered what he called "a pattern of unfair employment practices, procedural non-compliance, and gross financial negligence".
Fepiwe said Vusumzi Thomas, who was appointed as superintendent of cemeteries "despite failing to meet the minimum requirements stipulated in the job advertisement", is the brother of Deputy Mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi.
The appointment of Thomas served as a "prime example" of how internal policies were bypassed to favour unqualified candidates, resulting in significant long-term financial liability for the municipality, Fepiwe said.
"Thomas did not possess the required relevant tertiary qualification in Local Government. His credentials consisted only of a 12-month course in purchasing and supply chain management and a recent enrolment in an advanced diploma - neither of which constitute a full tertiary qualification. The candidate lacked the necessary supervisory or relevant experience inherent to the position," he said.
Fepiwe claimed that Loliwe repeatedly attempted to bypass the municipal manager's instructions by ordering that Thomas be paid at a higher salary notch (Notch 7) than the approved Notch 3. "Requests for recordings and documentation were met with a three-week delay and missing files, suggesting a deliberate attempt to hide irregularities," said Fepiwe.
Successful unfair labour
practice claim
He also claimed that the "botched" recruitment of Thomas led to a successful unfair labour practice claim by another candidate, Abedniko Bongoza.
The municipality was ordered to pay Bongoza at the same T12 salary scale, including back-pay and travel allowances, amounting to R376 183.57 for the first year alone.
"It is projected that this flawed process will cost the municipality R17 954 150.42 over the remainder of Mr Bongoza's career," Fepiwe said.
"It is evident that the Bitou Municipality failed to comply with municipal staff regulations and recruitment policies. By favouring an unqualified candidate and prejudicing those with the necessary experience, the leadership has committed an unfair labour practice that will burden taxpayers for the next 25 years."
Mapeyi acknowledged an enquiry sent by the Knysna Plett Herald relating to the recruitment and appointment allegations.
He also encouraged all concerned parties to use the Biou's whistleblowing fraud hotline, 0800 86 96 46, to report suspicious activity.
Requests for comment were also sent to Loliwe and the deputy mayor. Once received, updates will follow.
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