Business chamber boss backs Mahlaku

The former managing director of oil giant, Sasol, Elmore Marshall, has credited the Metsimaholo mayor for fighting corruption and stabilising the finances of the municipality

The Sasolburg Business Chamber boss and former managing director of oil giant, Sasol, Elmore Marshall has rallied behind the Metsimaholo Local Municipality executive mayor, Brutus Mahlaku, who has been under attack from local youth leaders accusing him of corruption.

Marshall told The Weekly on Monday that he believes the attacks on Mahlaku were part of a smear campaign by corrupt people who were no longer benefitting from council tenders.

“I’ve never experienced him as a man that wants to be corrupt or who would defraud anybody; I don’t think that he is a corruptible man. I think maybe he gets into trouble because he speaks the truth and he does the right things. Those who accuse him were benefiting from people who have been fired by the municipality.

“The plot is for him to be removed from his position, despite the good work he is doing for the community of Metsimaholo. Honestly, he got into trouble because of the people who are not happy, because they can no longer defraud the council and make money for themselves,” said Marshall.

Marshall said since Mahlaku took over the reins at the municipality, there have been notable service delivery improvements. He has credited the mayor with fighting corruption and rooting out incompetent officials from the municipality.

“I think we have lot of challenges, it’s going to take a while to solve them. Mahlaku will tell the truth about the state of the affairs of the council and he has done right to fire employees who were not doing their work properly. We must be happy now that those people are gone; the municipality has money and that it is strengthening its departments by getting some new equipment to help the council.”

He said the municipality was now in a great financial position to attract investment and fight unemployment by creating jobs.

Marshall said infrastructure development is vital for investment and urged the community to rally behind Mahlaku.

“He is friendly to us and he understands that we must do business. And to stay in business you need to have a good municipal council. If the roads aren’t being fixed or if the town is falling down how can you do business? A good businessman must maintain a good relationship with the local council and be able to make a contribution in developing the town where his business operates,” said Marshall.

Mahlaku has thanked businesspeople such as Marshall for helping the municipality stabilise its finances and improve service delivery.

“Many people would think he is buying my face, but I believe what he said is proof of what I believe in. Dedication and being hands on pays. I called the business chamber after the violent protest and urged them to continue doing business in Sasolburg. Some were even planning to give up their businesses, but I had to convince them (otherwise).

“I thank people like Marshall, who rallied behind the municipality’s call and committed himself to work with us. It is through his advices as an expert and former boss of an internationally acclaimed company that we have many good things,” said Mahlaku.

Mahlaku has been accused of misuse of power. He is alleged to have offered his friend and ally a security tender for his house and municipal office. The case has been taken over by the Hawks and Mahlaku is confident that he will be exonerated by the investigations.

“State funds are no child’s play. If we are guilty of fraud and corruption, then we would have been prosecuted a long time ago. Our government has many law enforcement agencies, which do their work so well. As a municipality we will cooperate with those investigating us.”