City denies ‘irregular’ appointments
THE City has denied claims of irregular appointments in the manager’s office, while the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) alleged the trend was “nothing new”.
This comes as the Cape Times received information that City manager Lungelo Mbandazayo appointed Onke Vumindaba, who was previously performing clerical duties, as a senior manager while she allegedly did not meet the position requirements.
“Following the appointment of Onke Vumindaba, four other positions were created for friends under this lady that previously worked with her in the office of the executive mayor.
“The four persons had already been earmarked for permanent positions before the positions were approved by the mayoral committee and were advertised,” the source who asked to remain anonymous said.
The posts of the service complaint investigators allegedly came with a salary package ranging between R651 860 and R699 094.
The source alleged Vumindaba was responsible for the finalisation of the screening of the applicants and short-listing candidates and failed to declare her relationship with the four candidates.
It was further alleged that the City manager was aware of the persons and the process to appoint them.
The City has denied all allegations and said the jobs were advertised on City platforms internally and externally, with appointments made transparently according to HR regulations.
“The City manager was not on the panel that appointed Ms Vumindaba or any of her team. Ms Vumindaba was not on the panel that appointed her team,” City spokesperson Priya Reddy said.
“Ms Vumindaba is the stakeholder officer in the office of the city manager.
“Their relationship is one of manager and team member. Ms Vumindaba was appointed over a year ago. It is strange that this is only now being made an issue.
“The City has it on good authority that these unfounded allegations are being made by a disgruntled exemployee who left the City under a cloud of controversy.”
Reddy said the four were not earmarked for the positions and the mayoral committee did not have any authority to approve any positions.
She also said the City could not make the CVs of the candidates available to the Cape Times or confirm the salaries, due to the Protection of Personal Information Act.
In relation to the four appointments, Reddy said: “They were appointed because there was a need in the City manager’s office to monitor the progress of City projects and ensure effective service delivery to the people of Cape Town.
“The team responds to service complaints and submits, where necessary, for investigation. This is in keeping with the City’s commitment to building a responsive administration.”
Samwu regional secretary Mikel Kumalo said the issue was nothing new. “In our memo of demands we have mentioned the appointment of friends but it is business as usual.
“Depending on who the person is, you can forget it, nothing will happen. Meanwhile, low-level workers can get dismissed for simple things,” he said.