The DA in Mpumalanga has taken to task the Mayor of Thaba Chweu over misleading council about the irregular appointment and term of contract for the Municipal Manager.
Mayor Friddah Nkadimeng has kept Sphiwe Matsi the Thaba Chweu Municipal Manager on the job despite the latter’s contract expiring on 1 March 2022.
According to Section 57(6)(a) of the municipal system act of 2000, “the employment contract of the municipal manager must be for a fixed term up to maximum of five years. Nkadimeng is then in violation of this Section.
During a question-and-answer session in Council recently, the mayor was requested to give clarity in terms of the of the legislation that governs the appointment senior managers – as well as a progress report regarding the dispute about the irregular term of contract of the Municipal Manager.
The mayor gave a response to council, however she also mentioned that the engagements with COGTA regarding the disputed and irregular contract of the municipal manager is still ongoing. But the DA is in position of contradictory correspondence from current Mpumalanga CoGTA MEC Busisiwe Shiba dated 26 August 2021. In this letter the MEC reminds the mayor regarding letters from former (CoGTA) MEC Mandla Msibi, which advised the mayor to amend the contract of employment of the Municipal Manager.
The MEC further requested an indication from mayor about the measures taken in council in ensuring that the employment contract of the municipal manager complies with the applicable prescripts.
It has become clear that the executive mayor has neglected her duties and in the process she intentionally misled council and other stakeholders including civil society whilst condoning and promoting irregular appointments of staff in the municipality.
CoGTA has already deemed the employment contract of the municipal manager to be irregular and as such, the DA has thus submitted a motion to council to urgently convene a special sitting to debate and review the employment contract of the municipal manager of Thaba Chweu Municipality.