The public protector investigated allegations of improper conduct and maladministration relating to the temporary appointment of four officials.
THE PUBLIC protector has ordered the municipal Speaker at Tsantsabane Municipality to take disciplinary action against the municipal manager for four irregular appointments at the local authority.
Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka investigated allegations of improper conduct and maladministration relating to the temporary appointment of four officials – Patricia Wetbooi, Keitumetse Bosman, Miena Oliphant and Mr G Tonyane – at Tsantsabane Municipality.
A complaint was lodged by a member of the municipal council, Allister Davids, who requested an investigation into the alleged irregular appointment of the manager, strategic support and ward committee clerks in 2017.
Davids indicated that these positions were never advertised, that the filling of the positions were not approved by the municipal council and that the positions were not on the municipality’s approved staff establishment.
Gcaleka, who released her findings on Monday, found that the allegations were substantiated as the appointments in question did not follow a proper recruitment and selection process.
“This was inconsistent with the relevant provisions of the Municipal Systems Act,” said Gcaleka.
“The appointments also resulted in irregular expenditure in respect of the remuneration paid by the municipality to the appointees as contemplated in the Municipal Finance Management Act.
“The municipality’s conduct accordingly constituted improper conduct as envisaged in the Constitution and maladministration in terms of the Public Protector Act.”
She instructed the Speaker to implement remedial action within the next 60 days.
