Probe into City posts

CIVIL rights group AfriForum is on a mission to expose alleged irregular appointments at the City of uMhlathuze.

However, the City has come back at them, accusing AfriForum of ‘grandstanding for the media’.

In a statement issued on Thursday, AfriForum requested the local municipality supply them proof that senior management indeed comply with the minimum qualification requirements, as set out in the Municipal Financial Management Act, 2003 (Act no. 56 van 2003).

‘We find that municipal positions are awarded to friends and acquaintances who do not comply with the minimum legal requirements,’ said Eugene van Aswegen, AfriForum’s Provincial Coordinator for KZN.

‘AfriForum is often approached by whistle blowers who report improper appointments and invites the public to continue to report any corrupt activities to the civil rights watchdog.’

In a response on Saturday, City Communications Manager Mdu Ncalane confirmed an application to access information pertaining to the employment of senior managers, through the Promotion of Access to Information Act, had been received by the Municipal Manager from AfriForum KZN.

‘The City will officially process the application according to all requirements of the Act and respond accordingly to the applicant.

‘The City is confident with all its employment procedures and even more so with the recruitment on senior positions, as they are also approved by the MEC for Cogta.

‘It is however worrisome that the City has to respond to media statements casting such allegations before even formally responding to the applicant.’

Ncalane urged AfriForum to be patient while waiting for a formal response, rather than taking ‘untested allegations’ to the media.