Union to challenge MM appointment

THE SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) intends to challenge the appointment of the new municipal manager at Sol Plaatje Municipality in court, as it believes that selection and recruitment processes are not being followed.

Candidates are currently being interviewed for the municipal manager position, where the manager in the Speaker’s office, George Mosimane, is believed to be one of the front runners to replace Goolam Akharwaray.

Akharwaray’s contract is being extended on a month-to-month basis until the position is filled.

Mosimane was previously employed as manager in the office of the mayor and was the spokesperson for former executive mayor Mangaliso Matika, who is currently the ANC regional chairperson.

Mosimane listed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), postgraduate diploma in management and a senior education diploma as his qualifications.

The post, which carries a paycheque of between R1.4 million and R1.9 million, lists minimum requirements that include a Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, law or equivalent and at least five years’ experience in a senior management position in local government.

The shortlisting panel includes

Sol Plaatje Municipality executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni, ANC councillor and local economic development (LED) chairperson Sonja Bosman, Frances Baard District municipal manager Mamike Bogatsu and the director of budgeting, Busisiwe Mgaguli.

Sol Plaatje executive director of community and social development services Khuza Bogacwi and CM Goeieman, who is employed at Provincial Treasury, are also tipped as preferred candidates for the municipal manager position.

Other contenders include former DA provincial leader Harold Robertson, who is currently in private practice at Matthews and Partners Attorneys, Sol Plaatje Municipality manager Phitlo Sithole, Moeketsi Dichaba, who is the head of the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, and events promotions manager Kgomotso Modiragale.

A deputy school principal, a property estate secretary and unemployed persons also applied for the position.

While Samwu and the Independent Municipal Allied Trade Union (Imatu) were invited to sit in on the interviews, Samwu local chairperson Daily Semau said that they were “sidelined”.

“At the last hour, we were told that we were not allowed to participate in the interviews, while it is policy to allow union representatives to observe the process and play an oversight role. Selection and recruitment processes were not followed and our national office has indicated that it will take the matter to court,” said Semau.

He added that an advert was supposed to be placed for a minimum of 14 days in the print media.

“It appeared on January 14 and submissions closed on January 24. Eligible candidates should be given 30 days in which to apply.

“It appears as if the criteria was manipulated in order to favour certain individuals or politically-connected candidates. Those who do not meet the requirements should have been immediately disqualified.”

Sol Plaatje Municipality did not respond to media enquiries or indicate how far they were with the interview process.