The City of Johannesburg is re-advertising the vacant Region A regional director post on its social media platforms, following a failed recruitment process that has left the region without permanent leadership for more than six months.

The position became vacant early in 2025, but despite assurances that the recruitment process was nearing completion, the city confirmed to Fourways Review, in October of the same year, that no suitable candidate was identified.

As a result, Region A continues to operate under acting leadership, a situation that has frustrated residents, according to Ward 132 councillor Annete Deppe, amid growing service delivery complaints.

Read more: City fails to find suitable candidate for Region A director post

“The recruitment process was run to its ultimate conclusion,” City of Johannesburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said, in October last year, when asked about the status of the post. “However, it did not yield a suitable candidate. The city is looking at alternatives to speedily fill the position.” In July last year, Modingoane told Fourways Review that the process was in its final stages, raising expectations that a permanent director would soon be in place.

Deppe has previously expressed concern about the prolonged vacancy, saying the lack of a permanent regional director has created, what she described as, a leadership crisis.

“It is imperative that the Johannesburg City Council appoint a permanent regional director who is fully committed to serving Region A. Our community deserves consistency and dedication to meet the challenges we face and improve our overall quality of life.

The continued reliance on acting directors must be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

At present, the stand-in regional director is overseeing both Region A and Region E, a dual role the city has acknowledged is far from ideal.

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Modingoane said the municipality has pointed to interim measures to manage the pressure, including support from senior managers and the establishment of a war room, aimed at fast-tracking responses to service delivery complaints.

The post requires a Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, business administration, or a relevant qualification, with at least 10 years’ overall work experience. Of this, five years must be at a middle management level within the local or public sector.

Candidates are also expected to have sound knowledge of the local government environment and applicable legislative requirements, as well as an understanding of market and economic factors that influence strategic planning and operational delivery.

A valid driver’s licence is also a requirement.

The full job advertisement and detailed requirements can be accessed on the City of Johannesburg’s official website: www.joburg.org.za.

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