‘Back door’ placements irk uMkhanyakude IFP
THE IFP at uMkhanyakude District Municipality has taken issue with the appointment of high-ranking officials without approval of Council.
The party’s Caucus Chair Sihle Ndlovu said the IFP was shocked to learn that the municipality ‘is allegedly in the process of appointing high-ranking officials without approval from Council’.
“It seems the ANC is mandating its political tactics through Cogta (Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs). We [recently] received information that the panel sat and shortlisted candidates for the positions of municipal manager (MM), director of technical services, director of corporate services, and director of planning," said Ndlovu.
“It is widely known that the position of MM is an appointment by Council in terms of Section 54 of the Municipal Systems Act, with senior managers being appointed in terms of Section 56 of the same Act.
“The Municipal Systems Act clearly outlines that the appointment of the MM and senior managers reporting to the MM are functions of Council, by law. Cogta cannot amend this law overnight. Therefore, we view this as a potentially unlawful activity, with Cogta attempting to bypass Council and its functions via the back door.
“[The IFP is] appalled by this unlawful conduct by certain officials. We also know that Cogta is aware of all these processes, yet is not taking any steps in this matter.
“The IFP in uMkhanyakude is deeply concerned about this behaviour and is prepared to take the matter to court," he said.
uMkhanyakude Mayor Siphile Mdaka said, according to the terms of reference of the current administrator, the latter has been given the powers to make such appointments.
Mdaka said Ndlovu had been asked to be part of a panel overseeing these appointments and had agreed, but changed his mind at the last minute.
The mayor said the acting MM was appointed in about August by the incumbent administrator as well as the acting chief financial officer.
“Part of the administrator’s terms of reference are that they should ensure that there is stability in the municipality’s administration, this includes that they have the power to appoint senior managers,” said Mdaka.
Ndlovu said it was not true that he had agreed to be part of the panel, but that the administrator had written to him asking that he provide the name of an IFP councillor who would do so.
“I wrote back to the administrator, indicating that the IFP would not participate in the process because our party does not see it as being lawful,” Ndlovu said.
He said the administrator’s role is to look at whether Council’s decisions are lawful and thereafter confirm these and ensure they are implemented.
He added that he has written to the administrator to halt this process, a letter which he said has also been sent to the national Cogta minister, as well as the KZN chair of the national council of provinces.