Note to Broadcasters: Please find a linked soundbite in English by Cllr Johni Steenkamp.
The DA in the JB Marks Local Municipality rejected the appointment of the new Municipal Manager (MM), Kgomotso Khumbe, which was pushed through Council yesterday evening by the ANC/PA alliance supported by the EFF.
Our own background check on all three confirmed that none of them meet the minimum requirement or qualifications for the municipal manager position. It appears that each of the candidates either left a previous position under a cloud of irregularities or appears to be or was under investigation related to financial misconduct.
Through the ANC’s extraordinary praise-singing of support, the appointed municipal manager has already been compromised to further the interests of the ANC while in office and not the interests of JB Marks residents.
We are of the view that the screening and selection processes followed were not fairly conducted and were not in accordance with legislation.
We repeatedly cautioned the Executive Mayor, Cllr Gaba Thithiba Ka Qhele, and the Speaker, Cllr Moithoesi Rosy Dassie, that this appointment may result in further legal action.
When the appointment came to the vote in Council yesterday, we called for a division to allow every Councillor to record their support or opposition to the appointment. The DA voted against the appointment.
The JB Marks Local Municipality, as is the case with most North West Municipalities, has a shameful history in appointing ANC cadres to senior municipal positions. The former JB Marks municipal manager was first suspended and then dismissed due to serious irregularities relating to financial misconduct.
The DA in JB Marks will continue to fight for improved and clean governance and service delivery, free from political interference to the benefit of every resident.