Appointment of individuals creates a stir

LYDENBURG – During a recent council meeting a supplementary item, submitted for council approval, caused quite a stir.

The item referred to seeked council approval for the appointment of acting directors for technical services, community services and finance department for a period not exceeding three months.

According to the document referring to the supplementary item, “Council should consider approving the appointment of acting directors. The lack of leadership in these respective directorates is a challenge. After considering the gender equity on the management structure of the council and the fact that it is male dominated, it is appropriate that the position of acting director for community services be occupied by a senior female staff member in this department. The next senior female staff in the management hierarchy of this department is Ms Olga Wallis-Ground.”

The document further stated that the financial implications in this regard would be in respect of acting allowances to be paid to the acting directors as they would be acting in positions higher than their own.

“The appointment of the acting directors will help the council to achieve its strategic focus areas aimed at achieving quick impact for the implementation of the intervention plan.”

It also further noted the recommendations of the acting municipal manager, stating that Messrs Gareth Mnisi and Ganon Nhubunga be appointed as acting chief financial officer and acting technical director respectively for a period not exceeding three months as per the Local Government Municipal Systems Amendment Act 2011 Section 56. The same would also apply for the appointment of Wallis-Ground as acting director for community safety.

DA Cllr Farhat Essack took huge objection to the item stating that it was slipped in to avoid debate. He explained that issues of this nature had huge financial impact and guidelines had to be followed in terms of the Municipal Financial Management Act.

Essack also questioned the appointments and stated that no CVs of the three individuals were made available nor were any performance evaluations conducted as the three are currently employed by TCM. “No proper interviews and point scores were made available either. There is no indication whatsoever of the three individuals’ qualifications and track-records to motivate the above appointments.”

He moved motion that the item be deferred to the next council meeting whereby the item could be dealt with provided that all documentation and motivations regarding the appointments were provided.

The speaker overruled Essack saying he was out of order despite the latter trying to explain the standing rules of order. The said speaker, Cllr Selina Sambo, was appointed by the ruling party to act as speaker due to the official speaker, Cllr Susan Magagula being ill and unavailable.

Essack was subsequently outvoted on the motion and the appointments were confirmed.

Essack stormed out of the meeting in protest to the passed motion.

The newspaper sent through queries regarding the passed motion to appoint these three individuals. We asked to be informed whether this supplementary item slipped in to avoid possible debate, why no CVs of the individuals were made available nor any performance evaluations conducted as surely they were currently employed by TCLM. The paper also asked to be informed of the candidates’ qualifications and if yet again money was being wasted to pay exuberant acting salaries and why suitable candidates couldn’t be found to fill these long-standing vacant positions in stead of wasting money on acting salaries.TCM failed to respond to the queries posted by time of going to print.