Matatiele Local Municipality has paid a full salary to former councillor Sibongiseni Baba despite the fact that he has been convicted for rape.
Baba was sentenced by the Mt Fletcher Regional Court to 10 years of imprisonment for raping Manyai telesjane, an incident that happened in January 2019. Baba was found guilty by magistrate Phathiswa Mjame on the 26th of May and sentenced on the 15th of June.
On the 24th of June 2021 the Municipality deposited a salary to Baba’s FNB Bank account. A salary advice seen by the Informer reveal Baba’s salary as R25214,58 before deductions. Meanwhile deductions include a pension fund of R1187, 92, ANC Levy R577,17, miscellaneous R4399,95 other deductions include Housing allowance and data which therefore make the total amount received after deductions to R15553,95.
Commenting on the matter Mayor Cllr Momelezi Mbedla said this issue is suppose to be responded to by the administration in this case the Municipal Manager and the Speaker who is responsible for councillors. “But when the matter was reported to me I consulted with the Municipal manager Lizo Matiwane who told me that he was bound to pay cllr Baba based on advice that he got from Salga and his legal advisers”, said Mbedla.
According to Mbedla Matiwane was also told by Baba’s defence lawyers that if he does not pay Baba he would be infringing on his right as a municipal employee as they are appealing the Baba ‘s case results
Responding to the matter municipal manager Lizo Matiwane said he is not at liberty to comment on the matter. “The issue will be dealt with by the special council sitting tomorrow as this matter relates to a councillor”, he said.
Before sentenced to 10 years imprisonment Baba was a ward councillor of ward 14 under Matatiele Local Municipality in a second term. He was also the chairperson of Ampac. Regional Secretary Vukile Mhlelembana in an interview last year told the informer that because of the seriousness of the case they have instructed Baba to step aside in the affairs of the council and not participate in ANC activities.
Provincial Executive Committee listed Baba ‘s name as one of the ANC members who was suppose to step aside to an extent that he was instructed to resign. In an interview then Baba said he does not have a letter that tells him to resign so he did not resign.
