By Marius Opperman – DA Councillor in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality
-Municipal officials and politicians in Thaba Chweu are contravening the law over the appointment of a senior manager.
-This compromises the integrity of the municipality and undermines hiring procedures.
-We asked the MEC of CoGHSTA to intervene.
8 September 2026
Release: Immediate
The DA in Thaba Chweu calls on the MEC of CoGHSTA, Speedy Mashilo, to crack the whip on Thaba Chweu municipality for failing to adhere to the Municipal Structures and the Municipal Systems Acts when conducting interviews for the position of a Director for Corporate Service.
It emerged that the Executive Mayor, Friddah Nkadimeng, appointed a law firm to conduct investigations without a Council Resolution. It is understood that the law firm was tasked with investigating the panel that was formed to interview and appoint a Director for Corporate Services.
In July, Council took a resolution where it was agreed that in line with Regulation 12(4) of the Local Government: Regulations on Appointment and Conditions of Employment of Senior Managers, the selection panel would be made up of the Municipal Manager, a Member of the Mayoral Committee or Councillor responsible for the relevant Portfolio Committee, and at least one suitably qualified independent person who is neither a Councillor nor an employee of the Municipality and possesses expertise relevant to the advertised position.
Interestingly, the Municipal Manager, Roy Makwakwa, went against this resolution and included one more individual from the District Municipality. This goes to show that Thaba Chweu disregards compliance and would do anything to influence hiring processes.
These scenarios prove that the municipality disregards proper government recruitment processes whereby an institution is expected to uphold the highest levels of integrity, fairness, and accountability, particularly for senior management appointments. The lawlessness that is currently taking place in Thaba Chweu undermines public confidence in the municipality’s governance and commitment to clean administration.
The Municipality’s Speaker, Herns Trower, has now asked the Mayor to provide a copy of the relevant Council Resolution authorising the appointment of the law firm. The appointment of senior managers in Thaba Chweu has exposed how deep factions are within the municipality.
Previously, the DA revealed that the municipality shortlisted an individual who recently occupied this position. However, the individual’s contract came to an end on 28 February 2026. Alarmingly, the individual in question was under investigation for alleged financial misconduct relating to a leave payout claim.
According to the Speaker’s office, the interviews for the position of a Director Corporate Services are done and the competency assessment results conducted by Gijima have been finalized and released, with only the vetting results remaining outstanding. Continuing with this recruitment while due processes were flouted is illogical.
The DA reiterates that Thaba Chweu is the hub of cadre deployment, appointing ANC-aligned individuals irrespective of their historical records and qualifications has become a norm. In the upcoming Local Government Elections, residents of Thaba Chweu will have an opportunity to put an end to this mess and elect the DA. We will end cadre deployment and appoint skilled administrators on merit.
Media Enquiries:
Marius Opperman
DA Councillor Thaba Chweu Local Municipality
079 974 1737