Sanco opposes new manager

A CIVIC organisation has demanded the newly-appointed municipal manager for Lukhanji Local Municipality be removed, alleging she did not have the required qualifications for the position.

The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in the Chris Hani District Municipality region said the appointment of Nolwandle Gqiba as municipal manager should be delayed until someone with the correct qualifications is found.

But Lukhanji mayor Nozibele Makanda yesterday said Gqiba’s appointment was made following a stringent recruitment process. She started work today. “The verification and vetting of the qualifications was conducted by an independent service provider which proved she does qualify for the position,” said the mayor. “It is our considered view she is fit and does qualify for the position.”

But Sanco regional secretary Mbuyiselo Ntsabo said the organisation had even met with local government and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Fikile Xasa to sort the matter out.

Ntsabo alleged Gqiba had failed to produce her matric certificate and had no Certificate Programme in Management Development (CPMD).

“Wrong appointments like these are always the source of poor performance in terms of service delivery by municipalities and the resultant consequence is a series of service delivery protests and mass actions,” said Ntsabo.

“This is not political but it’s about the capabilities of a person employed for the position. The municipality has paid so many ‘golden handshakes’ for people they realised too late didn’t qualify. We don’t want that,” he said.

Cogta spokesman Mamkeli Ngam confirmed a meeting had been held between Xasa and Sanco but said the appointment of Gqiba was above board.

Gqiba was officially appointed in March after she allegedly produced an affidavit for her matric certificate. But Sanco alleged a “proper certificate” had yet to be produced.

“A municipality manager must be a person who is competent in financial management and supply chain management. Having a CPMD is not optional, it is a must,” said Ntsabo.

He said they had been trying for the past three years to prevent mass protest action arising from inappropriate appointments at Lukhanji municipality.

“(But) people are ready to take action about this,” he said. —