Spokesperson, Solomzi Phama, says Martin Kubeka was fired in June after it questioned what it termed illegitimate” contractual work.

Kubeka has since dragged the municipality to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to fight his removal.

In April this year the municipality's mayor, Xolani Tselele, said Kubeka’s suspension was being dealt with.

ALSO READ: Suspension of Kopanong MM being dealt with: Mayor

Kubeka was suspended in December 2021 after receiving a warning.

ALSO READ: Kopanong MM suspended

Kubeka's suspension and dismal comes as the municipality continues to struggle with its finances as well as issues of service delivery.

The municipality has been plunged into financial distress, with its bank account previously attached by a Free State High Court judge for failing to pay workers' pension funds since 2012. The judgement was however later lifted following dialogues between the municipality and the affected parties.

ALSO READ: Kopanong account attachment uplifted

Before the account attachment, the municipality had about R19 million in its account, and workers were paid from the R9 million which was left after a R10 million commitment was made to the pension fund for contributions.

In 2021 the municipality took at least three months before paying its more than 450 municipal workers.

OFM News