MBOMBELA – While the local municipality is being amalgamated with that of Umjindi, appointments in both councils have been restricted.
It was decided earlier this year that the two will merge into a newly established local municipality.
It is to take effect at the commencement of the first election of the council. Local government elections are to be held next year.
In the meantime both entities continue to operate, but a notice published in the Mpumalanga Provincial Gazette on October 16, restricting appointments raised some confusion.
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“The affected municipalities may not conclude on new appointments regarding the filling of vacant posts, including managers directly accountable to the municipal managers from the date of the publication hereof until the MEC establishes a new municipality in terms of Section 12 of the Municipal Structures Act,” it read.
But, the executive mayors may request the MEC “for special exemption in respect of critical posts that are key to service delivery, taking into consideration the organogram of the other affected municipality.”
A technical committee has therefore been set up to coordinate the appointment of critical funded vacant positions in both entities, with an eye on the amalgamation.
The mayors of both local municipalities as well as the district municipality sits on the committee, which is chaired by the MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta). It is meant to sit about once a month.
Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM) executive mayor, Cllr Sibusiso Mathonsi explains:
“We cannot have a situation where we allow one local municipality to make appointments that will become redundant after the elections. There has to be a way to strike a balance.”
Mathonsi gave his assurances that these budgeted-for positions were being filled. “They are budgeted for, and by the end of the financial year we will have depleted it.”
Neither Cogta nor Umjindi responded to requests for comment.
