The DA in Mpumalanga will urgently approach the MEC of CoGHSTA, Speedy Mashilo, to determine if it is financially feasible for Mkhondo Local Municipality to employ 116 employees at one go.
Although the DA expresses concern over the increasing unemployment in Mkhondo and throughout the country in general, this decision must financially feasible.
Currently, the municipality advertised 116 vacant positions. According to the municipality’s circular, these positions range from Finance Interns, Gardeners, Stormwater General Workers and Refuse Removal employees amongst others.
To our knowledge, the ANC-led Mkhondo Local Municipality does not have the financial capacity to do so. This is as the financial statements in the municipality indicate that they are operating on a deficit that is over R100 million.
In addition to this, the municipality is already battling excessive overtime which was flagged out in the Audit Committee Report for the second quarter of 2023/2024.
In essence, Mkhondo is marred by challenges and maladministration. Therefore, this mass recruitment will only add to the municipality’s financial woes.
The Technical Service Division is facing challenges of broken vehicles and collapsing infrastructure. From time to time, employees in this department are unable to carry out their duties due to these challenges.
Employing more personnel without addressing these shortcomings is illogical. Noting that the ANC has continued to lose ground in Mkhondo, it is clear that this is politically motivated rather than creating employment and improving service delivery.
The DA will ask MEC Mashilo’s office to review these vacancies and carefully identify positions that need to be filled on an urgent basis. The remaining positions should be withdrawn.
Such illogical practices should not be accepted. We will not allow the ANC administration to turn the municipality into a political machinery that aims to keep their party relevant.