Public protector finds city of Tshwane irregularly appointed Marietha Aucamp

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has found the city of Tshwane’s appointment of former senior executives irregular.

These include Marietha Aucamp, who was the city’s chief of staff, mayoral spokesperson Samkelo Mgobozi, and the mayor’s executive head, Stephane Adriaan de Villiers.

The public protector said their appointment was irregular in that the three had not met the minimum requirements for their respective positions.

Mkhwebane’s investigation revealed that the appointments of Aucamp, Mgobozi and De Villiers were irregular as the recruits did not meet the minimum requirements for the posts in which they were appointed and that the city failed to conduct security vetting on them as required.

The public protector said the acting city manager failed to act in the best interests of the city when appointing Aucamp, Mgobozi, and De Villiers as they did not meet the minimum requirements.

“Mr Shingange, Group Head: HR, was found to have failed to provide proper guidance and advice.

The public protector further said all members of the interview and selection panels who participated in the recruitment of the positions in question were found to have failed to act in the best interests of the city by not applying their minds to the suitability of candidates regarding their qualifications.

“Mr Msimanga was found to have not applied his mind in the appointment of Ms Aucamp as he should have reasonably known that she did not have a post matric qualification.

“As a remedy, the city manager was directed to, within 60 days, ensure that a policy is developed to regulate the appointment of staff in the private offices of the executive mayor and speaker. The policy must make provision for urgent/short term appointments should the need arise.

“Within 60 days, the city manager must ensure that disciplinary steps are taken against implicated officials of the city who flouted, subverted or violated the city’s staffing policy in this matter.

“The city manager must further develop a document management system that will introduce controls and systems to safeguard the security of documents. This, too, must happen within 60 working days.”

(Compiled Makhosandile Zulu)

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