MMC criticised for delay in appointment for senior positions

City of Johannesburg MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Valencia Khumalo was lambasted by councillors of opposition parties for apparently dragging her feet in filling seven senior positions, some of which have been vacant for almost two years.

Khumalo received a tongue lashing from councillors of the EFF and the ANC during a council meeting held on 25 April at the Council Chamber. She had requested the house for an extension for the acting arrangement of the group head for strategy, policy coordination and relations, secretary to council, executive director for housing, executive director for environment, and infrastructure services, executive head for social development, group head for group communications and marketing and for the acting arrangement for the position of group corporate and shared services.

Khumalo responded that they were in the process of verifying qualifications for some posts. “We are trying to headhunt for some of the positions. We note the concerns but we also cannot compromise on the quality of candidates. Once the council has approved, we will embark on a recruitment process,” she said.

The regional chairperson for the EFF Musa Novela said they would write to Mayor Herman Mashaba and demand answers for the delay. “The MMC failed to give us answers on what caused the delay. There are positions like the one of secretary to council which has been vacant for almost two years. How do they expect the City to function efficiently if so many senior positions are not filled?” questioned Novela.

ANC’s regional chairperson Geoff Makhubo criticised Khumalo for allegedly flouting the municipal’s Systems Act which required the MMC to consult with the MEC for Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Uhuru Moiloa for permission to extend the acting period after the initial three months had lapsed.

“The Act states that when the three months of the acting period has lapsed, the City has to consult with the MEC to get permission for an extension. But what you are doing here is illegal. Why is it taking so long to fill the positions while acting people only get allowances. Doesn’t the City have money to pay salaries?” questioned Makhubo.

However, Khumalo stated that she had written to Moiloa with regard to the extensions. “We have been writing to the MEC and proof will be provided on the next sitting,” added Khumalo.

What do you think might have led to the delay of appointments?

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