New bosses’ moves do not bode well

It does not bode well that the new political bosses at City Hall have made questionable requests to place a moratorium on tenders and jobs. We reported yesterday that at least two senior managers were instructed by their political heads on Monday to put on hold the filling of vacancies and tenders. Despite what the coalition government would have us believe, such an instruction, regardless of its motivation, is blatant political interference in the administration. Importantly, it is prohibited by law. The mayoral committee member in charge of economic development, tourism and agriculture, Queenie Pink, asked for a full list of all tenders and vacancies in the department. In the memorandum she also said: “The executive mayor [Mongameli Bobani] requested that a moratorium be placed on all vacancies and tenders in the directorate and as such request the ED [executive director] to action this request.”

Executive director Anele Qaba rightly raised the red flag; Pink retracted her letter later on Monday and Bobani himself conceded the request had been “premature and did not follow due process”.

The new political head in charge of roads and transport, Rosie Daaminds – through her assistant – had also asked the metro’s executive director in charge of infrastructure and engineering, Walter Shaidi, to place a moratorium on all tenders and vacancies.

Like Qaba, Shaidi challenged the request.

New political leaders the UDM, ANC, AIC and United Front face a court challenge from the DA, COPE, ACDP and Patriotic Alliance, who claim last Monday’s council meeting – where a new mayor, deputy, speaker and chief whip were elected – was illegal.

Regardless of the outcome of that challenge, what must be born in mind is that rules that govern how municipalities must be run remain unequivocal – and for very good reason.

Indeed politicians must play an oversight role in municipalities. However, such a role must be fulfilled within the legal framework that governs our cities.