A senior Bhisho official has taken his employer to the CCMA after he was overlooked for a position.
Siya Ngcume, top candidate for the legislature’s public participation portfolio committee’s coordinator position, was snubbed by authorities in favour of the second best candidate.
This is not the first time recruitment processes have come under the spotlight at the legislature. Just months earlier, a candidate without a matric certificate was appointed as a researcher for the ANC caucus, a move later reversed after two qualified applicants challenged it.
This was soon after a scandal over allegations that some bosses were soliciting sexual favours from junior staff in exchange for jobs. An inquiry was set up by speaker Noxolo Kiviet.
Ngcume, who works in the information technology unit, was short-listed with six other candidates after 14 initial applications in July.
According to a selection panel’s report seen by the Dispatch, Ngcume scored well over other candidates, but a second best candidate was appointed instead because “she understands the challenges of the public participation committee and will be able to run with the ball”.
The second candidate, whose name is known to the Dispatch but could not be reached yesterday, was appointed despite several concerns raised, including those from former CFO Mthunzi Njomba and a legal adviser who doubles as acting COO, Innocent Netshitumbu. He wrote that it was “not correct” to prefer her on the basis that she had worked in the public participation unit and Ngcume had not. “They are both internal candidates as required in the advert and thus both must be re-interviewed if needs be,” wrote Netshitumbu.
Contacted yesterday, Ngcume confirmed the challenge but refused to comment further.
The Dispatch understands it will be taken for arbitration next week.
Njomba, who left after his contract lapsed late last year, was meant to sign “regret letters” to the rejected candidates but he refused.
He wrote in the report: “I cannot sign those letters.
“My conscience does not allow me.
“This has a potential of bringing the legislature into disrepute.”
Njomba could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The only one who recommended the second candidate’s appointment was chief parliamentary officer Zanele Mene, who also served in the selection panel that snubbed Ngcume.
Mene wrote: the second candidate “is the best candidate who will provide necessary support without being trained...”
Neither Mene nor legislature spokeswoman Bulelwa Ganyaza could be reached.
Fresh recruitment drama for Bhisho Legislature
Siya Ngcume, top candidate for the legislature’s public participation portfolio committee’s coordinator position, was snubbed by authorities in favour of the second best candidate.
This is not the first time recruitment processes have come under the spotlight at the legislature. Just months earlier, a candidate without a matric certificate was appointed as a researcher for the ANC caucus, a move later reversed after two qualified applicants challenged it.
This was soon after a scandal over allegations that some bosses were soliciting sexual favours from junior staff in exchange for jobs. An inquiry was set up by speaker Noxolo Kiviet.
Ngcume, who works in the information technology unit, was short-listed with six other candidates after 14 initial applications in July.
According to a selection panel’s report seen by the Dispatch, Ngcume scored well over other candidates, but a second best candidate was appointed instead because “she understands the challenges of the public participation committee and will be able to run with the ball”.
The second candidate, whose name is known to the Dispatch but could not be reached yesterday, was appointed despite several concerns raised, including those from former CFO Mthunzi Njomba and a legal adviser who doubles as acting COO, Innocent Netshitumbu. He wrote that it was “not correct” to prefer her on the basis that she had worked in the public participation unit and Ngcume had not. “They are both internal candidates as required in the advert and thus both must be re-interviewed if needs be,” wrote Netshitumbu.
Contacted yesterday, Ngcume confirmed the challenge but refused to comment further.
The Dispatch understands it will be taken for arbitration next week.
Njomba, who left after his contract lapsed late last year, was meant to sign “regret letters” to the rejected candidates but he refused.
He wrote in the report: “I cannot sign those letters.
“My conscience does not allow me.
“This has a potential of bringing the legislature into disrepute.”
Njomba could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The only one who recommended the second candidate’s appointment was chief parliamentary officer Zanele Mene, who also served in the selection panel that snubbed Ngcume.
Mene wrote: the second candidate “is the best candidate who will provide necessary support without being trained...”
Neither Mene nor legislature spokeswoman Bulelwa Ganyaza could be reached.
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