Municipal appointment raises a stink

ETHEKWINI Municipality's appointment of a new deputy city manager for trading services, Simphiwe Duma, has raised a stink after it was discovered that Duma had been dismissed from a senior job at a statutory body last year.

According to eThekwini Democratic Alliance's (DA) caucus leader, Zwakele Mncwango, the DA is deeply concerned over the decision of the Council to appoint Duma, following media reports which indicated that Duma was fired as CEO of the Technology Innovation Agency last year. The TIA is a government agency tasked with 'stimulating' technological innovation for economic growth.

“The allegations against Duma include that he appointed his wife into a senior position at the agency, intimidated external auditors and invested irregularly in certain projects,” said Mncwango.

He said DA questions in the eThekwini Council as to whether Mr Duma was the same person and whether the city was aware of his firing went unanswered, with Speaker Logie Naidoo calling them 'unprocedural.'

“The DA believes council should properly interrogate any senior appointments made, especially in light of such serious concerns. It is unfathomable that someone axed from a senior job at a statutory body could then be employed by our city a year later. eThekwini Municipality needs strong, capable and ethical managers. There should be no room for those who have indicated an ability to benefit themselves at the public's expensive,” he said.

Mncwango said now that Mr Duma’s history had been exposed and the municipality was aware of it, the city manager should not proceed in finalising his contract. He said he would be writing to the municipal manager calling on him not to finalise Mr Duma’s appointment.

Kevin Dunkley from Save Our Berea said the organisation was appalled at this appointment.

“If it is the same man, and it seems it is, then certain questions arise. Was the city manager and certain people aware of his past? If yes, why did they still appoint him? If yes, was it disclosed to Exco? If not, why not?” he said.

Dunkley said that if the city manager and Exco were not aware of this then it reflected badly on the checking system of candidates.

“It is, quite frankly, one further indication that the city manager is not up to the job. This whole appointment smells of cronyism, where it does not seem to matter what you have done, and regardless of your record, if you know the right people, they will look after you,” said Dunkley.

No response was available from the municipality at time of going to print.