Question NW20 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Reply:

Yes, the relevant information was obtained from the (a) Cederberg, (b) Drakenstein, (c) George, (d) Hessequa and (e) Knysna Local Municipalities.

A Parliamentary question was received regarding the details of the number of persons who were appointed at Senior Management level in municipalities since July 2016.

1. DISCUSSIONS

2.1 Section 54A and 56 of the Systems Act prescribe that:

a) if the post of a 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;

c) 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;

e) 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;

f) the municipal council must within 14 days of appointment inform the MEC responsible for local government of the appointment process and outcome;

g) 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;

h) the municipal council must re-advertise the post if there is no suitable candidate who complies with the prescribed requirements and

i) 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 the suitable candidates.

Ends…