Makana to re-advertise top post

THE struggling Makana Municipality will re-advertise its long-vacant municipal manager post because no candidate from the previous shortlist was appointed.

Despite months of rumours and wrangling, the appointment of Makana Council’s endorsed candidate, Paul Notyawa, did not get the green light from cooperative governance and traditional affairs Xasa.

Mayor Zamuxolo Peter yesterday confirmed that the council had decided to readvertise the post. He would not expand on the reasons except to say that it was necessary.

He said that this time the

(Cogta) MEC Fikile municipality would work closely with Cogta to ensure that certain “technical gaps” that beset the first process would not be repeated.

He said they also hoped to expedite the advertising and appointment process.

Notyawa was considered by council to be the best from a shortlist of three for the position.

But he reportedly lacked the required experience. He did not have the mandatory five-year experience in a top administrative post.

Democratic Alliance councillor Les Reynolds acknowledged Xasa was probably correct

applicants not to overlook the mandatory five-year requirement as it was an important one.

He said Makana had to compete with bigger and more urban municipalities for skilled and experienced people. The ongoing politicking in the trouble-besieged municipality did not help it in the recruitment process, he added.

Former Makana municipal manager Pravine Naidoo was dismissed in March last year and had been suspended from his post for some months before that. Various people have subsequently acted in the position.

Notyawa said he had not been notified officially one way or the other about his application.