Question NW2488 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
04 October 2018 - NW2488
Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Since July 2016, what is the total number of persons who were appointed at senior management level at Langeberg, Matzikama, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Overstrand, Cederberg, Hessequa, Knysna, Cape Winelands, Eden, Overberg, West Coast, Beaufort West, Bergrivier, Bitou, Breede Valley, Cape Agulhas, City of Cape Town, Theewaterskloof, Overstrand, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Swellendam, Saldanha Bay, Prince Albert and Witzenberg municipalities, (b) what is the position in which each person was appointed, (c) what is the name of each person, (d) on what date was each person appointed, (e) what is the qualification of each person who has been appointed and (f) what is the name of each member of the interviewing panel?
Reply:
A Parliamentary question was received regarding the details number of persons who were appointed at senior management level at municipalities since July 2016.
Section 54A and 56 of the Systems Act prescribe that –
- if the post of municipal manager or a manager directly accountable to the municipal manager becomes vacant, the municipal council must advertise the post in a print-media circulating nationally and select from the pool of candidates a suitable person who complies with the prescribed requirements for appointment to the post;
- b) a person appointed as a municipal manager or manager directly accountable to the municipal manager must at least have the skills, expertise, competencies and qualifications as prescribed;
- a municipal council must appoint a municipal manager;
- (d) a municipal council after consultation with the municipal manager, must appoint a manager directly accountable to the municipal manager;
- a decision to appoint a municipal manager or manager directly accountable to the municipal manager is null and void if the person appointed does not meet the prescribed skills, expertise, competencies and qualifications;
- the municipal council must within 14 days of appointment inform the MEC responsible for local government of the appointment process and outcome;
- the MEC for local government must within 14 days of receipt of the information referred to above and after satisfying himself/ herself that the appointment complies with the prescribed requirements and that the appointment was made in accordance with the Systems Act, submit a copy thereof to the Minister within 14 days of receipt;
- the municipal council must re-advertise the post if there is no suitable candidate who complies with the prescribed requirements; and
- the municipal council may, in special circumstances and on good cause shown, apply in writing to the Minister to waive the skills, expertise, competencies and qualifications as prescribed if it is unable to attract suitable candidates.
The Local Government: Regulations on Appointment and Conditions of Employment of Senior Managers (“the Regulations”) prescribe that a municipal council must appoint a selection panel of at least three and not more than five persons to make recommendations for the appointment of candidates to vacant senior manager posts.
(a) In the case of the appointment of a municipal manager, the selection panel must consist of at least the following persons:
(i) The mayor, who will be the chairperson, or his or her delegate
(ii) A councillor designated by the municipal council and
(iii) At least one other person, who is not a councillor or a staff member of the municipality, and who has expertise or experience in the area of the advertised post.
(b) In the case of the appointment of a manager directly accountable to a municipal manager, the selection panel must consist of at least the following persons:
(i) The municipal manager, who will be the chairperson
(ii) A member of the mayoral committee or councillor who is the portfolio head of the relevant portfolio and
(iii) At least one other person, who is not a councillor or a staff member of the municipality, and who has expertise or experience in the area of the advertised post.
Ends