FORMER Maluti-a-Phofung municipal manager Futhuli Mothamaha has declared war.
This after he was acquitted of fraud charges at the Commercial Crime Court on Monday, 7 August.
Mothamaha is threatening to take legal action against the struggling Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality in the Free State. He is questioning why he was not reinstated after being part of the candidates for the highly contested advertised position of municipal manager earlier this year.
His term as municipal manager was left with two months when he was arrested in August 2022. He was accused of awarding a R58 million contract to Kill Crime Security Company without following proper supply chain processes.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has since alleged that Mothamaha signed service agreement on Tuesday, 19 May 2020, appointing Kill Crime to provide security services to the municipality for three months.
He was released on R500 000 bail by Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates Court. After being acquitted along with two Kill Crime directors.
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Mothamaha sent a letter to the Maluti-a-Phofung Council informing them of his intention. The letter was served by Sheriff of the court.
The council chiefwhip, Moeketsi Lebesa, read the letter during a recent council sitting at Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Hall, where differing opinions were levelled saying Mothamaha's time has finished while others recognised him.
"The letter is from former MM Futhuli Mothamaha addressed to the municipality. He has an intention to take legal action against the municipality. He is questioning why the council didn't appoint him because he was the best candidate for the vacant MM position," said Lebesa
In an interview with Daily Sun, Lebesa said the process of hiring a municipal manager was nullified due to claims that the panel didn't follow proper procedures.
"The council was given 60 days to fill the position of MM. We are already out of legal timeframe with 140 days. Therefore, the decision was taken to readvertise the position and fight for correct procedures.
"Mr Mothamaha is acting within his legal rights, but he must be aware that the previous attempt to hire MM was nullified," he said.
