MTE will take its travelling expo philosophy to Richards Bay and Phalaborwa in June 2025 Mining and Technical Exhibitions (MTE) will host its Richards Bay Mining & Industrial Expo on 5 June at John Ross College and its Phalaborwa Mining & Industrial Exhibition at Laerskool Phalaborwa Noord (Rooi Skool) on 19 June this year high impact tradeshows are popular annual events custom-built for surrounding industrial operations in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Limpopo provinces of South Africa respectively Although both of these expos work off the same MTE principles of a highly focussed MTE’s agile business concept enables the company to customise its expos to the market prevalent in any area The travelling exhibition company targets its most varied audience anually in Richards Bay where the surrounding mining industry and smelters the agricultural sector and sugar milling in Empangeni in particular the Richards Bay harbour and coal terminal (RBCT) and the paper and pulp sector create a hive of industrial activity in constant need of innovative solutions for the ever-evolving environment “All of these operations are our target market at this expo,” says Andrew Macnamara “The common ground is ‘moving parts’ and industrial process with efficiencies and safety top of mind.” He adds that in his customary interactions with the market leading up to the expo to enable his team to target relevant suppliers to exhibit at the show RBCT noted due to increased business that it was looking at new equipment solutions to improve efficiencies Other operations in the area also pointed to a more upbeat economic mood This positive swing in the local industry is backed by SARS data which indicates that nearly 95% of South Africa’s coal export volumes (65-70 million tonnes in 2024) are handled through RBCT With enhanced Transnet performance last year coal railed to the privately owned and operated RBCT improved to around 52 million tonnes in 2024 – although still below the levels of more than 70 million tonnes Transnet railed annually to the company between 2017 and 2020 this is a positive improvement which significantly affects the entire surrounding industry.1 Minerals Council South Africa noted recently that coal companies continue to work closely with Transnet to secure the 600km rail line from the coal fields to Richards Bay aiming to mitigate the impact of cable theft and vandalism that act as one of the current constraints to exports we anticipate an uptick in most of the industries we serve at the Richards Bay tradeshow,” Andrew points out MTE will move into Limpopo after its visit to KZN to focus on the copper/vermiculite/magnetite/phosphate industry in the area which is embodied in two well-known operations near the town of Phalaborwa – Palabora Copper (Pty) Ltd a subsidiary of Palabora Mining Company (PMC) “Developments such as the PMC Lift ll project which was approved to extend PMC LOM bring MTE and its valued exhibitors to the area each year to showcase solutions-driven innovation to the mining professionals in the area,” concludes Andrew Register for free to gain access the digital library for African Mining publications Click here to send us a message POLOKWANE – A 28-year-old man accused of brutally murdering his aunt appeared before the Polokwane High Court on Tuesday where he was remanded in custody pending further investigation Hanno Steinberg is facing charges related to the death of his 51-year-old aunt who was fatally stabbed at her home in Phalaborwa on Tuesday Police responded swiftly after receiving a report of a violent attack they found Hurst with multiple stab wounds Despite attempts by her father to rescue her the suspect allegedly overpowered both the elderly man and the victim as she tried to escape It is alleged that the suspect found his aunt resting on the couch when he launched the attack with a knife He was eventually subdued by a neighbour and arrested with the help of the community Preliminary investigations indicate that Steinberg once lived with the family but was asked to leave due to problematic behavior The court postponed the case to 19 June 2025 to allow for further police investigation and website in this browser for the next time I comment We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Home | Business As South Africa prepares for this year’s budget speech, some Limpopo communities hope that resources will be directed towards fixing water infrastructure, so that they can access clean running water. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to deliver the Budget Speech tomorrow after it was postponed last month. The business sector in the small mining town of Phalaborwa fears that chronic water shortages in the area will lead to a collapse of their businesses and loss of jobs. The area has been experiencing constant water cuts. Gym manager Karel Reybrouck and restaurant owner, Corne Kaizer say buying water adds to their operating costs. “We can’t clean the shop properly; we just have to go walk to get water. So, it’s been a really a problem, it’s been two weeks now not having water, we have to buy water if the municipality can’t supply us with water and it’s costing us money” Kaizer adds. Meanwhile, Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality owes the water service authority, Lepelle Northern Water millions of rands in historic debt. The Mopani District Municipality says the debt is being serviced, denying that Lepelle is currently rationing water supply as a result of the debt. “The issue of water supply challenges in Phalaborwa it has got nothing to do with Lepelle, we are servicing the historical debt including the current account. So, it was just a technical challenge that they experienced at the water treatment plant, which then enabled them to attend to and we can confidently say water supply is improving, it has nothing to do with the debt that we have. We do have a historic debt which we are servicing and the current account.” VIDEO | Race against time for final Budget 2025 should be removed from Cabinet immediately after the revelation that a Hawks investigation into her conduct as Municipal Manager of Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality involving R2,5 million in tender corruption She cannot serve as Minister in this portfolio (or any) while under such a serious criminal investigation the President must relieve her of her duties This is yet another example of an ANC Minister in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet who he needs to remove for allegations of corruption Either he was not aware of these allegations which would raise damning questions as to his duty of care as head of the executive Members of the Executive must be fit for purpose the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Instead of stepping down or being relieved of her duties by the President she was redeployed to the Department of Human Settlements to oversee a R33-billion budget In addition to claims by senior managers in Ba-Phalaborwa implicating Ntshavheni the Auditor-General made scathing findings against her management of the local municipality’s finances during her tenure Judge Gerrit Muller of the High Court in Polokwane called the events surrounding the tender “repugnant and devastating” and asked that it be investigated by the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) to be handed over to the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) The DA notes that the Hawks have completed the investigation We call for the NPA to now proceed with their criminal prosecution of Ntshavheni the DA last year introduced a resolution to establish a Parliamentary Committee to oversee the Presidency As time goes on it is clear that the Presidency of Cyril Ramaphosa requires thorough oversight A committee in Parliament to oversee the Presidency also stems from recommendations made in the Zondo Commission Report and is not only endorsed by the DA but received cross-party consensus in parliament – with the exception of the ANC and the IFP When the Nationally Assembly votes on the resolution it will be telling whether or not the ANC stands with accountability or prefers the presidency to continue to act behind closed doors we repeat: A Cabinet Minister criminally investigated for corruption should not serve in Cabinet – end of story Democratic Alliance, registered non profit organisation in South AfricaReg No: 011-895 NPO While Eden Square Mall in Phalaborwa, which was gutted by fire about three weeks ago remains cordoned off with investigations ongoing, the Ba-Phalaborwa Tourism Association remains hopeful that the mining town and popular tourism destination will be rebuild. On the 10th of March, Phalaborwa residents woke up to news that one of their biggest malls caught fire, destroying several businesses inside the mall, including retailer Pick n Pay and about four banking institutions. Chairperson of the local tourism association Ditaba Malapane has described the damage as huge and one that will be long lasting, because of a lot of economic activity remains suspended. Malapane says the negative impact will also be felt during holidays such as the Easter long weekend, when the town records an increased number of visitors including tourists. He says collaborative efforts by several stakeholders who availed their resources during attempts to put out the fire on the day of the incident, give the tourism community hope that town will learn and recover from this experience. Copyright © 2022Capricorn FM.All rights reserved. Residents from 8 communities in Ba-Phalaborwa-Local Municipality have vowed to continue fighting to get the municipality to listen to their demand for the local mayor, Merriam Malatji to stop interfering in the employment of community members at local mines. In a final attempt to get the attention of the municipality, the communities blocked the R40 road in Makhushane as well as the R71 road to Lukekani on Monday, and while the R71 road has been reopened, the R40 road remains closed. They are also calling for the dissolution of the task team established to facilitate the election of the new Ba-Phalaborwa Community Forum leadership, as community members have already elected all the 16 members of the BCF, during an election process they held recently. The residents, led by the Ba-Phalaborwa Concerned Community Members have called on the mayor to write a letter stating that she will no longer stand in the way of community members being employed at the mines, so that the new BCF leadership can start its work which includes facilitating employment opportunities. While the municipality has maintained that the mayor is not in any way interfering, the group’s chairperson Edwin Malatji had this to say: Rakoma says this is a contract which incurred irregular expenditure of R49 million that compromised the municipality’s audit outcomes for three years. Earlier this month, the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Unions called for Pilusa’s removal from the MM position saying he has been in the position for over three years, following his unlawful and irregular appointed. Rakoma told Capricorn FM News that though Pilusa is now only suspended for mismanagement, the Democratic Alliance has placed 3 motions of no confidence regarding Pilusa’s qualifications to hold the position and the matter will be heard in the next council sitting. When approached for a response, Ba-Phalaborwa mayor Merriam Malatjie declined to comment. Rakoma says the municipality remains plagued by the ANC mismanagement and is failing to deliver the most basic services to people. Image: Facebook/Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality The Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality and Victoria Falls City Municipality from Zimbabwe have formed a twinning agreement to foster collaboration in social and economic development, as well as tourism initiatives. Mayor Merriam Malatji says the 3-day meeting between the two municipalities, wrapping up in Phalaborwa today, seeks to solidify their mutually beneficial relationship. She says to improve the state of tourism in Ba-Phalaborwa, they have adopted the Victoria Falls Municipality’s tourism master plan, however, due to financial constraints, the plan has not been fully implemented but hopes it will yield positive results. Malatji noted that this is not the first time they have partnered with Zimbabwean municipalities, having previously worked with Hangwe Municipality, which brought significant improvements to the area. She has encouraged residents to support this initiative because they will also benefit from it. The mayor of Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality Merriam Malatji has warned against any lawlessness amid claims of a potential shutdown, allegedly led by the Ba-Phalaborwa Concerned Community Members today. Malatji was speaking on Capricorn Talk last night, responding to concerns over her alleged interference in employement processes at local mines, which led to the closure of busy roads earlier this week, by protesting members of the concerned group. The mayor has since held a meeting with the group’s leadership, where she strongly denied her involvement in blocking stakeholders from working with the newly-elected leadership of the Ba-Phalaborwa Community Forum. Malatjie says at that meeting, all parties had an understanding on the way forward, however she was surprised to hear reports of a potential shutdown today. She adds that there seems to be some political influence in these protests. Some residents in Phalaborwa town say they are worried about the poor action plan that Mopani District Municipality has in place to attend to disaster incidents following the fire incident at Eden Square Mall in Phalaborwa this morning. The residents say the area does not have enough water to contain the fire because of the power outage that affected the area since Friday.Democratic Alliance councillor in Ward 11, Lonika Booysen says electricity was only restored this morning and as a result, water could not be pumped into the reservoirs over the weekend. Capricorn FM’s Thabiso Machaka has more: The Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union at the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality is awaiting further instruction from its regional office, after its call for the removal of the municipal manager was rejected. Imatu had handed over a memorandum to mayor Merriam Malatjie earlier this month, alleging that Dr. Lucas Pilusa’s appointment is unlawful and that he is not qualified for the position. In her response, the mayor indicated that the appointment of a municipal manager is the sole responsibility of council, and further went on to defend Pilusa’s appointment to the position. Capricorn FM’s Refilwe Mathebula reports: Facebook/Limpopo Department of Agriculture & Rural Development The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has officially launched the Pompey farm, which was previously used by Palabora Mining Company for mining operations in Phalaborwa. The MEC for Agriculture, Nakedi Kekana says the event marks the beginning of a new era that will reshape the agricultural landscape of the province. She believes that the farming activity will drive economic growth and create more job opportunities. Kekana has also signed a memorandum of agreement with the mining company this afternoon to create an enabling environment between farmers and their potential clients and to improve the market for local farmers.  She told community members that part of the agreement includes the establishment of an an abattoir and a feedlot on the farm. The mayor of the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality Merriam Malatji says claims that she will be participating in the upcoming election of new executive members of the Ba-Phalaborwa Community Forum are not true and seek to mislead and divide community members. This as preparations to hold the BCF election are underway, although the election date is yet to be announced. A Polokwane High Court ruling in May this year declared that the term of office of BCF executive committee members elected in November 2020, had lapsed. Malatji told Capricorn FM News that she is not involved in the election processes, adding that the allegations against her are aimed at tarnishing her name. The mayor says a dedicated task team has been established to address issues related to the BCF election, and that she is not a member of this team. Copyright © 2022Capricorn FM.All rights reserved PHALABORWA: The Ngobeni family in Lulekani has been left devastated following the death of a 25-year-old male on Sunday The police say the victim was stabbed to death between a local church and a tavern at Lulekani village in the Mopani District the victim was found lying on the ground with stab wounds on his upper body The emergency personnel at the scene certified him dead He was identified by his family as Justice Ngobeni (25) Police opened a case of murder and the circumstances that led to the incident will be revealed by further investigations The suspect was traced and successfully arrested the same day He will appear before the Lulekani Magistrate’s Court soon Home | South Africa The Mopani District Municipality says a fire that has gutted the Eden Sqaure Mall in Phalaborwa in Limpopo is under control The fire started this morning in a clothing shop No injuries or fatalities have been reported The municipality mayor Pule Shayi says investigations into the cause of the blaze are underway We are happy that we were joined by many stakeholders that we work with The fire now is under control and has not moved to the other building and we do not think it is going to spread more,” says Shayi Some residents in Phalaborwa in Limpopo are fearful that there will be loss of employment after the local mall burnt down today. Fire fighters are still working to put out the fire. Five shops have been affected. There have been no reported injuries or fatalities #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/DExQhYSP5O — Pimani Baloyi (@PimaniBaloyi) March 10, 2025 Some residents in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, are fearful that jobs could be lost. Firefighters are still working to put out the blaze. “Let me talk about the unemployment rate that will rise because already they are working on no-work, no-pay (policy) and when the mall is closed that will raise the unemployment rate and it will affect many families and unemployment,” says one of the eye witnesses. PHAPABORWA – A devastating accident on the R71 road between Two Mountains and Skitog has left one person dead and two others injured. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, 8 August 2024, involving a head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a truck. According to the provincial spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, reckless driving is believed to be the cause of the accident. “It is with great sadness that we report the loss of life due to this preventable tragedy. Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased during this difficult time,” Chuene said, extending condolences to the bereaved family. The adult passenger who lost their life was traveling in the minibus taxi, while two others sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The exact circumstances leading up to the collision are still under investigation. Authorities are urging all road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future. The R71 road is known for its heavy traffic, especially during peak hours, and this incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of road safety. Also updates on the condition of the injured passengers and the ongoing investigation will be provided as more information becomes available. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. PHALABORWA– A 36-year-old woman and her 42-year-old male accomplice were arrested in Prieska Village under the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality for wildlife crimes after a police raid uncovered an alarming array of wildlife remains and illegal firearms. The early morning operation, conducted on Thursday, August 29, resulted in the seizure of the following items from the couple’s residence: Nine hippo skulls,One elephant skull, One elephant skin, Two elephant ears, Four licensed rifles with ammunition,Seven silencers, One luxury SUV, One boat and a substantial amount of cash. The raid was the culmination of a lengthy investigation that began in 2022, focusing on illegal hunting activities on a farm in the Lulekani area. The operation involved a collaborative effort by various law enforcement agencies, including the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, Tactical Response Team, Local Criminal Record Centre, Department of Agriculture, and Farm Watch. In addition to the wildlife items, a 9mm pistol was found in the residence, which authorities believe is linked to an attempted murder case that occurred in the Lulekani policing area earlier this year in January. Despite the successful arrests, a manhunt is currently underway for a third suspect who managed to evade capture during the raid. The couple appeared before the Lulekani Magistrate’s Court on Friday, August 30, 2024, facing charges of money laundering and poaching under the Wildlife Act. Their arrests have sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the ongoing battle against illegal wildlife trafficking in the region. NKOWANKOWA-On Friday morning, teachers from Majeje High School and Frans Du Toit High School were celebrated for their outstanding contributions to education in the Mopani District. The event, held in Tivumbeni, was a moment of recognition for the top-performing educators who were honored with the prestigious Mopani District Mayor’s Excellence Awards. Among the recipients was Principal Janse van Rensberg, who was acknowledged for his exceptional leadership at Majeje High School. Additionally, teachers Mongwe F and Phakula AG were both celebrated for their excellence in their respective fields. Mongwe F, a Geography educator, was named the top educator in his subject, while Phakula AG, an Accounting teacher, was recognized for his outstanding work in the Lulekani Circuit. Mopani District Executive Mayor, Pule Shayi, presented the awards and commended the teachers for their remarkable achievements in the education sector. In his address, Shayi highlighted the importance of recognizing the hard work and commitment of educators who go above and beyond to ensure that their students receive the best possible education. “These awards are a small token of our appreciation for the dedication these teachers show in shaping the future of our community,” he remarked. Lulekani Circuit Manager, Eunice Ntsanwisi, also took the opportunity to congratulate the recipients, emphasizing the profound impact their teaching has on the lives of students. “These teachers have demonstrated exceptional dedication and excellence in their teaching practices,” Ntsanwisi said. “Their hard work not only contributes to academic achievement but also inspires the next generation of leaders.” PHALABORWA– In a dramatic turn of events, the case against Notwane Edwin Malatji, Chairperson of the Phalaborwa Concerned Community members, has been struck off the roll at the Phalaborwa Magistrate Court. This follows the ongoing delays in the case, with a pending docket and the investigating officer’s absence from court. Malatji has been embroiled in legal battles since 2023, accused of torching trucks during community protests in Phalaborwa. The case has seen numerous postponements, prolonging the legal ordeal for Malatji and the community. His arrest occurred at the Phalaborwa Magistrate Court, where he was initially there to support two other members of the Phalaborwa Concerned Community who were appearing for bail. Instead, Malatji found himself taken into custody and transferred to Giyani. Despite being granted bail, Malatji was subjected to stringent conditions that severely restricted his freedom. He was not allowed to leave Phalaborwa, address the masses, or be elected into any position of leadership. These conditions prompted Malatji to seek new legal representation, leading him to enlist the services of prominent legal expert Anita Campbell. Campbell successfully argued for the removal of the restrictive bail conditions last week, a significant legal victory for Malatji. This week, the charges against him were officially struck off the roll, marking the end of a long and contentious legal battle. Malatji expressed his gratitude to the Ba-Phalaborwa community for their unwavering support throughout his court appearances. He acknowledged the financial contributions made by ordinary community members, who responded positively to his door-to-door fundraising efforts. Malatji was candid in stating that, contrary to expectations, no businessman from Phalaborwa contributed financially to his legal defense; their support was only verbal. “This is a victory for the community, and I am deeply humbled by the solidarity shown by the people of Ba-Phalaborwa,” Malatji said. “It was the ordinary community members who stood by me, and for that, I am eternally grateful.” BA-PHALABORWA – Residents of Extention 77, particularly those along Paul Kruger Street, have been grappling with a severe water crisis allegedly caused by the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality’s water department. The trouble began when a fire hydrant started leaking, leading to significant flooding in the area. The ordeal for Marry Grobler began on Thursday when Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality initiated repairs on a pipe at Geldeland Street in Phalaborwa. Grobler reported that her yard was inundated with water from Thursday until Saturday due to the leaking fire hydrant outside her house. Despite the urgency of the situation, municipal workers ceased their repairs at 16:00 on Friday, leaving the hydrant to continue leaking overnight. This situation prompted DA Councillor DeBeer to intervene by contacting Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality’s Municipal Manager, Dr. Kgoshi Pilusa. Dr. Pilusa subsequently reached out to the Mopani District Municipality’s water department for assistance. Although the Mopani District workers arrived and began repairs on Saturday, their efforts extended late into the night, ending around 22:00. Complications arose when the Mopani District Municipality workers were not adequately briefed on the necessary tools required for the repairs. In a bid to control the flooding, Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality’s Technical Manager, Gift Hlongwane, suggested turning off a reservoir. Unfortunately, the wrong reservoir was initially switched off, exacerbating the flooding as water gushed from the fire hydrant like a river. The correct reservoir was eventually shut off to mitigate the damage. Tensions flared when employees from Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality’s water department allegedly tried to intimidate the Mopani District Municipality workers, asserting that the repair work was their responsibility. Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality spokesperson John Mahesu acknowledged the issue, stating that they were aware of the problem. He relayed that Technical Manager Gift Hlongwane confirmed that steps were being taken to address and resolve the crisis. Residents of Extention 77 remain hopeful that the municipalities will work together efficiently to prevent further incidents and restore normalcy to their water supply. LULEKANI-Phalaborwa police are actively searching for suspects involved in the hijacking of a white Mazda CX-3, registration number RFG 086L, which belongs to a local woman. According to reports, the woman was traveling from Phalaborwa town to Lulekani around 18:00 when she was flagged down by a female hitchhiker at the Phalaborwa town entrance. As she stopped to assist, a male accomplice suddenly stormed into the vehicle, demanding that she continue driving on the R71. As they approached the Lulekani entrance, the woman was threatened with a firearm and instructed to stop the vehicle. The male suspect then took over the driving, navigating around Lulekani while demanding that the victim transfer money. Eventually, she was forced out of the vehicle and abandoned in a nearby bush, with her car and all her belongings stolen. The Phalaborwa police have issued a warning to motorists in the area to remain vigilant and cautious of armed hijackers. They urge anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the nearest police station. Members of the Ba-Phalaborwa Concerned Group have expressed relief after the Polokwane High Court ruled in their favour, to have the current leadership of the Ba-Phalaborwa Community Forum vacate the offices in Phalaborwa. The group took the BCF and Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality to court this morning, following challenges of accessing employment and learnership opportunities in Phalaborwa. The concerned group is accusing the forum leaders of selling jobs and outsourcing businesses in the local mines for their own benefit. The concerned group’s representative Cliff Nkuna says they brought the matter to court because the BCF leaders’ terms lapsed in November last year, and they have since asked the municipality to mediate in the election of new representatives. Nkuna says to date, the municipality has not convened the election and as a result BCF leaders have remained in office, selling jobs. PHALABORWA-Phalaborwa queen of dance Juju the Dancer Mahesu left the crowd in awe this past Saturday at Epic Water Park in Mashishimale where she performed during the highly anticipated Doek and Shades Event Known as the queen of the dance floor in Phalaborwa Juju made a grand entrance that brought the venue to a standstill with everyone cheering her on as she showcased her remarkable talent One of the highlights of the event was Juju’s performance of her signature dance style “Lekunye la Moyeng,” which had the audience captivated and craving more Her electrifying moves and stage presence confirmed why she holds the crown as Phalaborwa’s dance queen Juju expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support she received “Making people happy through dancing is my job and I truly appreciate the love I got at Epic Water Park on Saturday,” she said Juju continues to be a beloved figure in the local dance scene and her performances are always eagerly anticipated by fans across the region PHALABORWA-Employees of the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality under the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) are calling for the removal of Municipal Manager Dr citing his appointment as “unlawful and invalid.” IMATU representatives expressed their dissatisfaction with Dr initially as Acting Municipal Manager on January 1 followed by his permanent appointment on September 1 Pilusa lacks the leadership capabilities and senior management experience required for the position Despite holding a Master’s degree in Public Administration and doctorates in both Administration and Theology IMATU contends that his primary experience as a former primary school principal does not adequately qualify him for his current role The union pointed to a memorandum issued by the then Minister of COGHSTA Pilusa failed a competency test required for management positions It also instructed Mayor Malatji to convene a special council meeting within 14 days to rescind Dr echoed these concerns in a letter sent on September 11 He pointed out that Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality failed to comply with regulations governing the appointment and conditions of senior managers As workers await the municipality’s response with IMATU demanding immediate action from local leadership to address their grievances and ensure compliance with legal frameworks This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.