Picture: The newly-appointed Head of Department for North West Community Safety and Transport Management/Dr Hans Kekana/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari has welcomed popular House DJ, Dr Hans Kekana as the new Head of Department. Lehari said the position became vacant when the contract of the former HOD, Botlhale Mofokeng came to an end in April 2022.
“The process led by the Office of the Premier was embarked upon and the position was duly advertised. After all the processes were gone through, it was HK as Kekana is popularly known, who emerged as the successful candidate. Kekana has 27 years’ experience cumulatively in both public and private sectors with eight of those at senior level in government.
“As a strategic thinker and a proponent for good governance, Kekana will be a perfect fit for the department. As a way of introducing Kekana, we did this on the sidelines of the department’s Thuntsha Lerole programme in Tswaing on Friday,” he said.
Lehari further said Kekana was conferred with a Doctorate by the North West University (Mafikeng campus) last year, his alma mater from which he also received a Master’s Degree several years earlier.
Kekana said: “It is my singular honour and an absolute privilege to be given an opportunity to serve. Public service comes not only with pressure but also with an opportunity to change the lives of the citizens.
Our key performance area is to ensure deliverables as pronounced by Lehari in a policy speech,” he added.
However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on North West Community Safety and Transport Management, Freddy Sonakile said they will submit the Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) application on the appointment process of Kekana.
Sonakile said they are concerned by allegations of political manipulation in the appointment process Kekana.
“The HOD position has been vacant since April 2022. The position was only advertised in February 2023 and later re-advertised. Interviews were held early in July and an interview report with the results was sent to the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi, who has since signed off on the appointment of Kekana.
“According to information received by the DA, it is alleged that the ranking of the two candidates on the interview list has been switched to benefit a candidate who is allegedly closely aligned with Lehari,” said Sonakile.
He said it appears that, the results may not have favoured the candidate that Lehari preferred, and the process may have been manipulated to make provision for appointing an individual who will be more amenable to the ANC.
Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) spokesperson, Brian Setswambung refuted the allegations and described them as ludicrous.
“The post was advertised both internally and externally in the North West Provincial Government Intranet, Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) Circular 03 of 2022 and National Publications.
“The initial shortlisting session was held on 6 April 2023 in Rustenburg and the panel resolved that the post be re-advertised as it had the potential to exclude many competent potential candidates. The candidate that has been recommended and approved for appointment is expected to assume duty on 01 September 2023,” he said.
Setswambung said they are not aware of any manipulation of the process to favour the recommended candidate. He said all candidates were subjected to a fair selection process i.e. interview, competency assessment and pre-employment verification process.
The Guardian 