Picture: The panel during the interview process/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) said the embattled mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe should excuse himself from the process of appointing the municipal manager. This comes after they alleged that the whole process was flawed by him.
According to EFF Whip, Amogelang Matuane, the Director of Corporate Services, Dikagisho Mokoma has allegedly formed part of the panel during the interview process, even though she was not eligible to do so. Matuane said the interview process took place at Taung Library yesterday.
“We wrote a letter to the municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai on 5 January 2023 reminding her about what the municipal council resolution was. There was a municipal special council virtual meeting to deal with this issue. During the meeting, the mayor presented the item and explained to the council the process, and also reminded the council that, it was indicated in the last statutory council meeting that, the manager responsible for recruitment in the municipality shall only go as secretariat and not as panel member.
“To highlight some issues, the council resolved to appoint a selection panel of five members as outlined in Regulator 12: Appointment of the selection panel for the Appointment of the Municipal Manager. On 14 June 2023, the council held another special council sitting at Depot Hall to deal again with the committee item,” she said.
Matuane further said that, in that meeting, the council approved the re-advertisement as part of the resolution and that, the mayor requested concurrence from the MEC, acting appointment of the accounting officer not for more than three months. She added that it means the council resolution 175/2022-2023 still stands as there were no changes or amendments made.
“The council also approved the process plan that guides the panel to ensure that, they are on the time frame in order to reach the deadline. There is a report that shows that, the shortlisting of the candidates has taken place on 8 August 2023.
“So, we making a plea to the mayor that he must ensure that all the panel members for the shortlisting process, were those who were appointed and approved by the council. If not, the process will be irregular and will lead to all applicants taking legal action against the municipality,” said Matuane.
However, she said the procedure and process unfolded was not according to the council resolution. According to Matuane, they requested Gaoraelwe to respect the council resolution.
“We also demand that, he should be exempted from the process because he has prioritised his personal interest at the expense of the municipality.
“The municipal manager position has been left vacant from 13 November 2022 until to date. The vacancy has been advertised three times already with the municipality expenses.
“We demand that the special council be convened in order to give the council a progress report,” she said.
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) councillor, Gaolatlhwe Tshipo shared the same sentiments and said, they are concerned about the ‘wasteful’ expenses the municipality continues to accumulate in its quest to appoint a new municipal manager.
In February 2023, the municipality commenced its shortlisting process that took place at Protea Hotel in Klerksdorp.
However, the process was futile and it was rescheduled. According to the information, the shortlisting process was supposed to take place at Taung Depot Hall some time ago, however, that process also hit a snag.
“As the ACDP, we feel that the whole flawed process amounts to wasteful expenditure. Remember, the overall advert cost roughly R300 000. Then, there are still claims for those who will come and form part of the panel for interviews.
“This was the third time the municipality advertised the position. So, that means, the municipality has spent almost R1 million just on adverts. This also creates anxiety because there is no stability. Remember, the municipal manager is the signatory of some other things as the accounting officer.”
Meanwhile, the municipal spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant failed to respond to our media inquiry. The response will be incorporated into the article when received.
The Guardian 