There were plenty of references to ‘thinking out of the box’ and ‘time on task, task on time’, but the appointment of senior managers at Endumeni Municipality could again be the source of a tussle.
At an executive committee meeting on Tuesday, the issue came to a head when Councillor Dlamini pointed out that the contracts of the acting managers – except that of the acting municipal manager – were about to terminate. He was concerned that with acting Municipal Manager S Zulu and Mayor Thulani Mahaye in Cape Town this week for an information conference, the selection of the new financial, technical services and corporate services managers would be further delayed.
He and Speaker Mdluli wanted ‘an out of the box’ approach that ‘is within the law’ to ensure that the appointments are done speedily and without delay.
However, Mr Zulu said a process had to be followed, and explained that Endumeni’s human resources manager had been dispatched to Umzinyathi Municipality, which is assisting with the selection process.
He pointed out that a screening process must be done on those candidates short-listed, and an external company engaged to ensure the candidate has the correct qualifications (not falsified) and does not have a criminal record. The process cannot be rushed beyond this, he said.
There appear to be only 13 candidates for the three positions, and Councillor Dlamini was concerned that further delays would compromise the functioning of the municipality.
Previous senior appointments at the municipality have inevitably ended in strife, and this time around Council appears determined not to allow that…
Deputy Mayor not impressed
Deputy Mayor T Mkhize was not impressed that his name was listed as an Endumeni representative on the Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund.
When asked to second the proposal from the minutes of the last meeting, Deputy Mayor Mkhize suggested that he had been proposed, not Councillor Lungile Mbhele.
After being told that Councillor Mbhele had been chosen as a replacement for Councillor Ngobese (also of the ANC), who had since resigned, it was with a heavy heart that Councillor Mkhize seconded the proposal.
Arts and Culture Centre
Councillor Anthon Raubenheimer was pleased that the Department of Arts and Culture is looking at investing R5-million into a new centre in Dundee, which has apparently beaten off opposition from other towns. He said Council should now assist in identifying a site.
