The recent appointment of the KwaDukuza Municipality Executive Director for Civil Engineering, Thembela Nxumalo is a clear example of how compromised selection panels are. Despite the Democratic Alliance launching a formal Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to make public the recording of Mr. Nxumalo’s interview, the Municipal Manager, Nhlanhla Mdakane in his capacity as Information Officer, declined the application by hiding behind the Protection of Personal Information Act (view here).
The DA will not allow officials to hide appointment processes from council, they should be held accountable for improper appointments.
It is time to appoint competent individuals that fit the purpose instead of rewarding the politically affiliated at the expense of services to residents and our communities.
We are hoping that the municipality adopts the firm stance by KZN MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer who had recently announced transparency on recruitment and tender processes by way of audio and visual recordings.
The bold move by the MEC should set a progressive precedent, especially in municipalities like KwaDukuza, where supply chain is the playground of connected comrades and political recruitment remains rife.