PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The dispute over the departure of former Director of Corporate Services in the Bitou Municipality, Misiwe Mpahlwa, has been taken to the South African Local Government Bargaining Council.

Mpahlwa, who left the municipality in September, has alleged unfair treatment by the DA-led coalition in Bitou.

Her complaint is that her contract as Corporate Services head had been terminated because, as Municipal Manager Mbulelo Memani had indicated to her, the DA-led "governing coalition did not want to work with people who were appointed by the previous coalition" [the ANC].

Memani said he had no comment on questions put to him on the matter.

Also asked to comment on Mpahlwa's complaints, Bitou Mayor Dave Swart said not all the allegations are correct. "This matter is currently before the bargaining council, so I am not prepared to comment at this stage," said Swart.

Mpahlwa also said that in August, Deputy Mayor Mavis Busakhwe confirmed to her that "as the caucus of the governing coalition" they had taken a decision to terminate her contract.

Busakhwe told KPH, "I have nothing to say".

Mpahlwa said she was appointed as Director: Corporate Services by the Bitou Municipality for a period of five years ending on 31 January 2026.

On 2 August 2022, she was given a termination agreement which stated she was due to receive a severance package of 41 months and other allowances due to her, which amounted to R3m after tax, but was later told that Swart wanted to amend the agreement.

On 1 September she said she was served with a termination letter summarily dismissing her.

The ANC in the Bitou Council has entered the fray and its chief whip, Sandiso Gcabayi, said Memani had "misled the council… by bringing (Mpahlwa's) termination agreement contract to Council saying it's a resignation letter".

"The mayor and the municipal manager cannot fire a Section 56 (of the Systems Act) employee. It is only Council that can terminate such a contract and that has to follow due process through Council," said Gcabayi.

"The executive mayor must be held accountable together with the municipal manager for the unlawful dismissal of the director.

"Whatever fruitless and wasteful expenditure of taxpayers' money is incurred ... must be taken from their pockets," said Gcabayi.

The matter continues at the Bargaining Council on 15 February next year.

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