Africa-Press – South-Africa. eThekwini Metro Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has denied allegations that the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal predetermined the candidates for the vacant Durban city manager position.
The ANC and Kaunda have been accused of fixing the position after the ANC’s deployment committee allegedly met last week and “decided” on three favoured candidates.
“It is alleged that (KwaZulu-Natal) Premier Sihle Zikalala played a key role in this meeting and that the favoured candidate, who is currently a municipal manager on the South Coast, is his selection,” said DA eThekwini caucus leader Nicole Graham.
“Zikalala seems increasingly intent on demanding that people of his choosing occupy positions in local government. This is unlawful and despotic behaviour,” added Graham.
Graham said the ANC and its coalition partners “fought off all attempts to further open the process of appointing a new municipal manager”.
“A motion by DA whip Thabani Mthethwa to include the full executive committee on the interviewing panel was narrowly defeated at a February council meeting. This would have given the leaders of the EFF, IFP and DA, as well as two other DA exco members, a chance to be part of the panel,” she said.
“Why did the ANC fight this so doggedly if the process was a transparent one?”
She called on Kaunda to clarify if and why the meeting had taken place and whether he had been part of it.
Mxolisi Kaunda set for second stint as Durban mayor
“This is a matter of incredible urgency and importance. He cannot be involved in a panel if he carries an instruction from the ANC.
“The state capture commission has made it clear that the ANC’s deployment committee is not a private affair where it contravenes the law and affects the lives and livelihoods of ordinary people. This decision will undoubtedly do that.”
Graham said that if true, the move was “incredibly unethical and a show of poor faith to eThekwini’s people”.
“This city is not political property. It belongs to the people, who increasingly get a terrible deal.”
Zikalala’s spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso, did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication. His comments will be added once received.
Kaunda on Wednesday said the process of appointing a new city manager was “well on track and it is being handled with the sensitivity and care it requires”.
Kaunda said he received correspondence from Graham “who is alleging that there was political interference in the process leading up to the appointment of the city manager”.
Day of high drama as ANC retains eThekwini metro
He denied the allegations, saying that the “ANC has no role in the appointment of city managers”.
“The only time the ANC ever gets involved in the filling of municipal positions is when it comes to the appointment of mayors, deputy mayors, speakers and ordinary councillors”.
He said the process to appoint a city manager was still under way.
“As things stand, the panel has not yet concluded the process. Therefore, we would like to urge everyone to respect the process, which is being conducted by a legitimate panel,” Kaunda said.
“After all the processes have unfolded, a report will be presented to the executive committee for its consideration, and the council,” Kaunda added.
Never miss a story. Choose from our range of newsletters to get the news you want delivered straight to your inbox.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
