The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality has defied the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs, Bentley Vass, who advised that the appointment of the acting municipal manager was unlawful.
THE ZF Mgcawu acting municipal manager Alfred Tieties has resigned with immediate effect during a virtual special council meeting that was held on Thursday.
The MEC for the Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Bentley Vass advised against the unlawful appointment.
Tieties was appointed by the council to act in the position from May to July, with his contract subsequently extended every three months.
Vass stated that Tieties did not have the requisite qualifications, skills, competencies or prescribed experience for the job.
“The acting appointment is in contravention of local government regulations on the appointment and conditions of employment of senior managers,” said Vass.
He explained that the role required a Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, social sciences, law, or an equivalent field.
“The successful candidate must have relevant senior management level experience and proven experience in institutional transformation in the public or private sector,” he added.
Vass pointed out that only the corporate services director and the director of development and planning were permitted to act as municipal managers.
“Chief financial officers are not allowed to act as municipal managers,” he clarified.
He further stated that he had addressed the executive mayor and council on multiple occasions, yet the council continued to disregard municipal regulations.
He recommended that a suitable person be seconded to fill the vacancy until the position was advertised and filled.
“The acting period for acting senior managers is only six months. Thereafter, the municipal council may request the MEC to second a candidate until a suitable candidate has been appointed. To date, no request has been made by the municipality to avoid any unlawful acting position,” Vass noted in correspondence.
Coghsta spokesperson Tebogo Monyo stated that the council had made the appointment decision without consulting the department head or the MEC.
“The matter of non-adherence to regulations by some municipalities remains a concern to the MEC. Government is constantly developing mechanisms to strengthen systems and to ensure greater adherence and compliance with the regulations,” Monyo added.
ZF Mgcawu district municipality spokesperson Martha Clarke indicated that the resignation of the acting municipal manager had been tabled and accepted during the special council meeting on November 7.
“Council has appointed the director of planning and development Isak De Waal to act as municipal manager in accordance with the local government:and municipal regulations for a period of three months or until the vacant post has been filled.”
She added that De Waal was the former municipal manager and director of technical services at Kai !Garib local municipality.
“He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Municipal Governance that was obtained from Rand Afrikaans University in 2002. He was awarded a postgraduate certificate in Education from the University of South Africa in 2013. He is expected to complete an honours degree in Public Administration at Stellenbosch University this year.”
Clarke added that he brought extensive knowledge and experience in service delivery to the municipality.
“The council of the ZF Mgcawu district municipality wishes De Waal well with his tenure and positively anticipates what his leadership has to offer. The district municipality maintains the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency in all our business dealings and we continue to uphold the reputation and integrity of our institution and the people we serve,” she said.
