ANC cries foul over ‘unlawful’ appointment of Tshwane city manager

While the African National Congress (ANC) Tshwane region postponed its media briefing where it was to have discussed the “unlawful and illegal appointment” of the new Tshwane municipality city manager, the executive Tshwane mayor, Solly Msimanga, was delighted.

Msimanga is pleased with the council’s appointment of new city manager Moeketsi Mosola, who was nominated by the mayor himself, following a comprehensive and stringent process.

Executive mayoral spokesperson Samkelo Mgobozi said that during the process, candidates were subjected to psychometric testing and exhaustive interviews by a multiparty panel including an external panellist not affiliated to any party.

But the ANC does not share the mayor’s joy in the appointment of Mosola.

The party called it unlawful and illegal.

The ANC also indicated that it would shed more light on the auditor general’s report for the 2015-16 financial year.

ALSO READ: Joburg mayor says more than R3b ‘loot’ will be recovered

The African National Congress also wants to discuss the opening of the Klipkruisfontein Cemetery.

ANC caucus spokesperson Lesego Makhubela said they had to postpone the briefing to Monday, due to the ANC lekgotla and unavailability of officials.

Mgobozi said it must be noted that the mayor was well within his rights to make public his nominee for city manager and, indeed, any business he intends to bring before council.

“This is in the public interest and does not violate the prescripts of the law and due process.”

Msimanga said it was quite surprising to have to explain the rudiments of council procedure to an ANC councillor in Tshwane, who often claims to be a bastion of law, order and due process.

“In any event, all protocol in this regard was observed and the ANC is using this appointment by council to advance a narrow party political agenda, without considering the people they were elected to serve,” Msimanga said.

“It is to be expected.

“I find the ANC’s utterances in council quite curious. This is with specific respect to their suggestion that they intend to unduly influence the MEC for local government to deny concurrence of the appointment.

“In any event, we are optimistic that the appointment made by council will be upheld and we are going to do exciting things and revive the capital city.”

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.