Five former ANC councillors who served on the BCM council from 2011 to 2016 have been employed in the municipality in what has been labeled “political patronage” and “cadre deployment” by opposition parties.
The controversy was discussed as a “confidential matter” on Tuesday in response to a motion raised by the DA last year.
A report, leaked to DispatchLIVE, revealed how the five former ward and proportional representation (PR) ANC councillors, who were not re-elected, were hired without the posts being advertised either internally or externally.
The report, signed off by then acting city manager Nonceba Mbali-Majeng, states: “The process followed in the political office is to utilise the database which is in line with the staff provision policy.
“This is due to the nature of the positions and the sensitivity of these offices. This has been the practice over the years in recruiting staff to positions aligned with the new political term.”
However, the report has revealed that not all the posts were politically aligned. The report states:
- Former ward 11 councillor Sakhumzi Caga was appointed as an administrator of the municipal public accounts committee (Mpac). The requirements for the position were “relevant B Degree or Grade 12 with one year’s relevant experience” and a valid and unendorsed driver’s licence. It was stated that Caga had met the requirements. His annual salary is now R459207 with a total annual package of R824667;
- Former ward 2 councillor Mlandeli Mateke was appointed as a records clerk in the office of deputy mayor Zoliswa Matana at an annual salary of R98295 and annual “package” of R182620;
- Former PR councillor Nozizwe Otola is now a community facilitator under the special programmes directorate earning an annual salary of R140292 and package of R236920. The requirements include a three-year degree in social science or equivalent qualification and three years’ experience.
- PR councillor Boy Themba Jida was appointed as a community facilitator with the same requirements and annual package as Otola.
- Ward 39 councillor Xolani Samana was appointed as an equipment operator in the parks department. He met the requirements of primary education and six months’ experience in handling and operating horticultural equipment.
The report left opposition councillors from the DA, EFF and AIC fuming, with some saying the appointments were like spit in the faces of the Eastern Cape’s unemployed graduates, many of whom yesterday marched to the Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle’s office demanding jobs.
DA councillor Sue Bentley, who drew up the motion, said they did not understand why the report was deferred and scheduled to come back to council in April.
“The DA is not happy about the blatant appointment of only former ANC councillors. There were many councillors who lost their jobs in August but only a select few who are clearly important to the ANC were hired,” said Bentley.
EFF councillor Chumani Matiwane said: “The report doesn’t tell us if the posts were advertised so that all those who qualified could apply.”
Council chief whip Mzwandile Vaaiboom said: “The report tabled had no details. This was not about ex-councillors but unemployed people.”
He said it was not true that the ANC appointed its members.
“We don’t employee people based on their political affiliation,” Vaaiboom said. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za