“We raised concerns over the appointments of senior managers and MM” – Ketso Makume

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The appointment of Sello More, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, and other senior managers at the Free State’s only Metro has caused a stir.

This is after we published a story in relation to a constitutional court judgment that dismissed a leave for appeal by Jeremena Mazinyo, CFO at Maluti-A-Phofung following a damning judgment that set aside, declared the appointment of her and Patrick Mothamaha irregular and unlawful.

The judgment came after Mxolisi Dukwana, erstwhile MEC for COGTA challenged their appointments.

STEPUPSANEWS has learned the appointment of Sello More and the Head of Departments at Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality had not received concurrence from the MEC.

At the time, the MEC for COGTA was Ketso Makume, and asked if his office concurred he said.

“What happened is that Greg Nthatisi, the Executive Mayor requested a meeting with me to discuss some of the pertinent issues which concern the inquiries we raised about the appointment of the senior managers including the appointment of the MM.

The issues we raised were among others requesting the documents and council resolutions that were not included in the report that I was to consider for the concurrence.

Unfortunately, that meeting couldn’t take place due to our commitments and unfortunately election campaign happened as well

These are some of the matters that we couldn’t finish or complete.”

Asked specifically what documents were missing from the report and if COGTA made the Municipality aware Makume said.

“Council minutes where it is stipulated that the council resolved on the panel that was appointed was the one that remained throughout the process.

And that the other documents are your CVs or certified copies of the qualifications.

Like I have said the EM requested the meeting to discuss that together with other issues but MM did send some documents and they are with the HOD of COGTA”

Does the lack of concurrence from the MEC nullify the appointments?

According to a local government expert who spoke on condition of anonymity, if the 14 days lapse without any objection from the MEC, it will be assumed concurrence was consented.

“If the appointment of the City Manager and all Managers directly accountable and reporting to City Manager were well appointed within the ambits of Regulations 17 of the Municipal Systems Act, their appointment is valid as the HoD and MEC are expected to object if any, within 14 days, if not, the concurrence is assumed to consent.”

Asked who has the authority to appoint she said.

“The Authority to appoint solely resides within the Municipal Council with the MEC monitoring compliance with the Regulation and ultimately providing concurrence once all requirements are or have been met.”

Qondile Khedama, spokesperson for Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality didn’t respond to our questions.

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