The core mandate in HOD positions delaying appointments 

Following our story published about HoD jobs in which we reported how horse trading on vacant positions as the Free State Premier Sefora Ntombela is bound to make appointments and how Zola Thamae, acting HoD at SACR does not have post-graduate level 8 as required allegedly, the office of the premier has released a statement. 

The statement offers an empty response and seeks to address media reports to the effect that some SMS members in government do not meet the minimum requirements for the positions they occupy. 

The media release reads, “The FSPG has reviewed their qualifications and has established that most do meet the requirements of the positions, however, FSPG will do Persal and Vulindlela clean up to update their qualification on the system.” 

Interestingly, it’s most not all, why and how is it possible that SMS members even if it’s one person or two persons do not meet the requirements? 

As we previously reported Magashule critic Tshepiso “Sugar” Ramakarane will be appointed COGTA, sources have confirmed and there is a voice note doing the rounds that he started yesterday. 

Ramakarane is a former Setsoto Municipality Manager and just like Steve Tshabalala, he was always critical of Magashule and many see his appointment as a reward for anti Magashule gang.  

It is not clear how other appointments will unfold but Step UP SA News has learned the delay in other appointments is due to the adverts which have a specific core recommendation:

“A postgraduate qualification in any of the areas of responsibility of the particular department and/or management will be a recommendation.”

In essence, this means a qualification relevant to the department’s core mandate for example a position at COGTA would require a qualification in local government or governance or a position at Social Development would require a qualification in social work, same with Human Settlement and Police, Roads, and Transport. 

We can confirm Masechba Sesing has been appointed at Treasury while Human Settlement is a lady from Ekhurhuleni.

Agriculture HoD is a Vet, just saying.

We reiterate these appointments are likely to be litigated.

If you ever wondered why nothing goes right in Free State, the media statements and the fact that appointments are delayed due to the core mandate in the advert is telling.

It is not only SMS members who are in positions they do not meet requirements in FSPG but that’s a story for another day.

In other news branches are preparing for BGMs this weekend ahead of the unlikely Provincial Conference.

This is a developing story.

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