MAYOR DR MERRIAM MOLALA'S TRANSFER POLICY SCANDAL: COUNCILLORS ALLEGEDLY REMOTE-CONTROLLED

 Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality Mayor Dr. Merriam Molala...

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

Lepelle-Nkumpi - The Azanian has uncovered a shocking scandal at Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality, where Mayor Dr. Merriam Molala is accused of using and remote-controlling councillors to approve a controversial Employee Transfer Policy that threatens to undermine the municipality's operations and unfairly target employees.

Sources close to the municipality claim that councillors were neutralized and manipulated into supporting the policy, which has sparked widespread concern among employees and residents. "A normal person, a normal councillor, would not agree to this nonsense policy," said a source. "Clearly, they're being controlled, and it's all about the mayor's interests."

The policy, which gives the municipality sweeping powers to transfer employees without due process, has raised serious concerns about job security, fairness, and transparency. "This policy is a recipe for disaster," said an employee. "It's a tool for the mayor to get rid of anyone who opposes her or doesn't toe the line."

The Azanian sent a series of questions to Mayor Dr Molala and the municipality, seeking clarity on the policy and its implications, but they have failed to respond. "We've given them a chance to respond, but they've chosen to remain silent," said a source. "This only adds to the suspicion that something is amiss."

The allegations suggest that councillors were possibly influenced or incentivized to support the policy, which could have significant implications for the municipality's operations and employee welfare. "When you neutralize somebody, you resource them, you give them money, so they do their bidding," said a local resident. "That's what's happening here, and it's unacceptable."

One councillor, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed shock and dismay at the policy. "I didn't realize what I was signing up for," they said. "This policy is a threat to our entire system of governance. We need to scrap it and start again with proper consultation and transparency."

A councillor, speaking on condition of anonymity, slammed the policy, saying: "We will leave no stone unturned in our fight against this ridiculous policy. It's a recipe for disaster and we're not going to let it happen."

The Azanian's investigation has revealed that the policy was rushed through council without proper debate or consultation, raising serious questions about the mayor's motives and the councillors' complicity.

The Azanian will be engaging with local and national unions to mobilize support against this policy and to demand that the municipality respects the rights of its employees.

As the controversy deepens, employees and residents are demanding accountability and transparency from the municipality. "We won't stand for this kind of treatment," said an employee. "We deserve better from our municipality."

The Azanian demands that Mayor Dr Molala and the municipality come clean about the policy and its implications. We also call on the provincial government to investigate these serious allegations and take action to protect the interests of the people of Lepelle-Nkumpi.