Makana official faces suspension for misconduct

Makana Municipality engineering and technical infrastructure services director Dali Mlenzana has been given until Thursday to explain why he should not be suspended for alleged misconduct.

Mlenzana has been accused of violating the Municipal Finance Management Act when he was acting municipal manager for six months.

He allegedly awarded corporate and shared services director Nomthandazo Mazwayi a salary increase from R788,186 to R1.1m a year – without council approval.

Acting municipal manager Ted Pillay reported that Mazwayi did not deserve the increase because when she underwent a competency test for the job, she just managed to squeeze through.

“When Mazwayi underwent competency tests in March 2017, she received an overall score of competent – only one level above the lowest level, basic, and below advanced and expert,” Pillay said.

“Mazwayi’s increase was awarded by Mlenzana contrary to legislation and without merit,” he said.

Pillay said the increase was authorised on September 22 last year, after Mazwayi wrote to Mlenzana on July 5 requesting the increase.

Mlenzana approved it with no reasoning or authority.

At the time, Pillay said, the maximum total remuneration payable to top-achieving managers directly accountable to municipal managers was R987,820.

Pillay also accused Mlenzana of committing fraud by allegedly purporting to be acting municipal manager after his term had ended.

Pillay said Mlenzana had signed an appointment letter for a service provider on May 28 this year for the purchase of three high-pressure water pumps worth R9.8m.

On that date, Pillay wrote, he had taken over as acting municipal manager. Yesterday, Mazwayi said that she was not at liberty to comment on matters that were confidential.

Mlenzana said he would make his submissions to the council on Thursday.