Delays in filling of critical positions explained

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – Cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Ketso Makume has named complaints and threats of legal action as some of the reasons some municipalities such as Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality have not yet appointed municipal managers.

Makume told this publication that former municipal manager Tseko Futhuli Mothamaha has lodged a formal complaint with Maluti-a-Phofung, seeking clarity why his name is not in the final list of potential candidates for the position.
“People have a right to enquire why their names have not made it to the final list of the candidates for the position. Here in Maluti-A-Phofung, I have learnt that one of the candidates Ntate Tseko Mothamaha has lodged a complaint and requested the municipality the investigate why his name is not in the final list of candidates for the municipal manager position.

“He has a right to be responded to. The municipality has an obligation to explain the reasons that informed their decisions for disqualifying certain applicants from the shortlist and from interviews. But we hope this be resolved in no time.”

The MEC also revealed that more progress has been made in terms of filling critical strategic position in the municipality.
“We have not filled some positions because we were threatened with legal action by disgruntled applicants. For example, in Mangaung metro municipality, interviews for the municipal manager post were supposed to take place today, but they have been postponed due to failure to reach consensus with those who have applied. But we have made progress and hopefully before end of June we will announce the new officials. Where there are still challenges I have asked municipalities to go back to the community and explain.”

He said other positions below that of MM position will be filled immediately after the MM has been appointed.
“It is the first job of the MM to fill those vacant positions. This will bring stability in the municipalities. Funds are returned because of acting in many positions, while others are filled with incompetent officials.

“This stems from the South Africa Local Government Association’s call on municipalities that received poor audit outcomes to turn around their financial management systems, governance and replicate the 55 percent that received acceptable results.

“Among the actions required are for councils to fill all vacant MM and CFO positions as a matter of urgency, by employing ethical people who are technically skilled in the duties they are required to perform.”