Xasa recalls CHDM’s MM
Appointment not in line with Municipal Systems Act
CHRIS Hani District Municipality (CHDM) municipal manager (MM) Moppo Mene has been recalled from his position by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Fikile Xasa due to his appointment not being in line with the Municipal Systems Act.
The CHDM appointed its MM by renewing his contract in May last year without the post being advertised.
Last week, the district municipality convened a special meeting which was held in the town hall following a communique from the MEC in which he instructed that Mene’s appointment be rescinded.
Cogta spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam indicated to The Rep on the phone that the MEC issued a circular to all 59 municipalities in the province to advise about the new amendment in the Municipal Systems Act.
“The Act states that posts like that of an MM had to be advertised nationally. In the circular, the MEC also encouraged municipalities to refrain from renewing contracts. He said if that was done, he would not concur with such an appointment and would take the matter to court to force municipalities to follow the law.”
The Rep reported, (“EFF queries CHDM MM, Cogta MEC to look into appointment claims”, December 1 2017) where the MEC responded to a question relating to the illegal appointment of Mene.
“The new regulation now states that if there is a vacancy for the MM it must be advertised on a media platform that reaches a wide array of people. Proper processes must be followed to reappoint the MM if they did well in the interviews and other procedures, [and] if not a new one would be appointed. We will follow up on the matter and if the municipality is found guilty, further steps will be taken,” said Xasa.
According to the Municipal Systems Amendment Bill section 54 (a) and (b) of Act 32 of 2000, if the post of a municipal manager becomes vacant, the municipality must advertise the post nationally. It must then select from the pool of candidates a suitable person who complies with the prescribed requirements.
CHDM mayor Kholiswa Vimbayo confirmed Mene’s recalling in a statement on Tuesday, when she stated that the council had rescinded its resolution to renew the contract of its former MM.
“Following correspondence received from Cogta on the matter, council convened a special meeting to rescind its earlier resolution to renew the contract. Council had initially resolved to renew Mene’s contract at its meeting held last year, for a period of five years. Council then allowed me to pursue engagements with the former MM and a report was tabled to the council in August 2017.”
Vimbayo indicated that the position of an MM would be advertised as it has now been officially declared vacant and that the municipal strategic manager Bhekisisa Mthembu was acting in the position.