Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Setswana by Aubrey Nxamo
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ratlou Local Municipality strongly condemns the growing pattern of irregular, inconsistent, and unfair human resource practices that are undermining public trust in the municipality.
Recent developments, including the handling of recruitment processes linked to projects such as the Matloding Bridge, as well as the re-advertisement of Supply Chain Officer positions despite the presence of reportedly qualified applicants, point to serious concerns about administrative integrity and the potential manipulation of hiring processes.
At a time when unemployment remains critically high, employment opportunities within the municipality must be managed with fairness, transparency, and accountability. Instead, current practices risk sidelining merit, discouraging qualified applicants, and weakening confidence in municipal governance.
Particularly concerning are instances where recruitment processes appear to deviate from established procedures, raising questions about whether these processes are being conducted in the public interest.
The re-advertisement of positions without clear and justifiable reasons not only wastes public resources but also undermines the credibility of the municipality and the trust of applicants who engage in good faith.
The DA maintains that fair and transparent hiring practices are not optional but a constitutional and ethical obligation.
The DA has already taken proactive steps by submitting a formal letter to the Municipal Manager, with the Speaker and Mayor copied, calling for urgent clarity and accountability on these matters.
The DA therefore further calls for:
- An immediate and independent investigation into recent recruitment processes, including project-based appointments and the re-advertised Supply Chain Officer posts
- Full transparency on the reasons for re-advertising positions where qualified candidates had already applied
- Accountability for any officials found to have deviated from lawful and fair HR procedures
- The implementation of strengthened oversight mechanisms to ensure that all future recruitment processes are merit-based, transparent, and compliant with legislation
The people of Ratlou deserve a municipality that upholds integrity and fairness, not one where irregularities become the norm.
The DA will continue to stand with affected applicants and community members to ensure that accountability is enforced and that opportunities are awarded based on merit, not manipulation.