Nkonki to fill municipal manager shoes

A NEW acting municipal manager (MM) for the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality has been appointed by council after the period for former acting MM Smilo Dayi elapsed last Friday.

The latest appointment of corporate services director Siyabonga Nkonki to the position was met with mild resistance during a special council meeting on Tuesday.

After a presentation by execuive mayor Lindiwe Gunuza Nkwentsha and Nkonki’s name being presented as the new acting MM, DA councillor Malibongwe Xhelisilo said Gunuza Nkwentsha should have addressed the issue of minimum competency levels for appointing senior managers. Documents should have been provided with the qualifications and experience of Nkonki.

Speaker Mzoxolo Peter said council was appointing an acting MM.

The municipality has been without an MM since the resignation of interim MM Nolwandle Gqiba who has joined Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality as an executive director for spatial planning and human settlements.

The Rep reported (“Hunt for new manager,” January 13) that the local authority had advertised the post of MM during the month preceding the end of Gqiba’s contract as interim MM. In a report (“New job for MM,” January 20) The Rep indicated that Gqiba resigned with immediate effect in January.

Subsequently it was reported (“Dissatisfied,” February 10) that Gqiba's resignation letter was submitted by legal representatives who indicated surprise at the municipality writing to Gqiba on December 15 last year stating that the position of MM had been advertised.

Gqiba’s legal representative Wheeldon, Rushmere & Cole via attorney Brin Brody, said the municipality had indicated in its letter it “intends appointing a municipal manager by March 2017 when her present contract of employment indicates that she is employed until the end of June 2017”.

It is not clear for how long Nkonki will act.