Committee members question municipal manager’s competency
EFF member Khanya Ceza asked the mayor “if there had not been a preferred candidate who was much more qualified than Phala during the appointment”
BURGERSFORT – The competency of Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality’s (FTLM) municipal manager (MM), NW
Phala, was questioned during cooperative governance and traditional affairs’ portfolio committee meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting aired on Parliament TV, channel 408, on DStv.
FTLM’s mayor, Ralepane Mamekoa, and Phala had been invited by committee chairperson, Faith Muthambi, due to the failed Operation Mabone. Lufuno Mphaphuli of Mphaphuli Consulting, the contractor for Operation Mabone, also attended the virtual session.
The initiative stalled and only 26 villages had been electrified. Nine villages were yet to receive power.
EFF member Khanya Ceza asked the mayor “if there had not been a preferred candidate who was much more qualified than Phala during the appointment”. Phala had been hired by the FTLM as MM in August. Ceza continued, “There was a competent person, David Mogofe, above the
basic level of Phala.”
Phala said the questions on his competency were personal issues. “It’s not the first time I am a senior manager at a
governmental department. I did not hire myself.”
Muthambi then ordered the mayor to respond regarding Phala’s competency and appointment.
“The appointment of a MM is a process we have to undertake. First, the position has to be advertised. We receive applications; the council also has to appoint a committee to oversee the process. When it comes to the appointment, the mayor has to be the chairperson of the panel. The committee also has to include members from the South African Local Government Association (Salga) and the Limpopo Department Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta). I might not be correct with the number of the applications received, but we first looked into candidates who qualify in terms of regulations. We shortlist in line with qualifications and experience.
“To the best of our knowledge, the current MM did the best during the interview. I can agree the competency level assessment comes after checking to see if candidates have a criminal record. There may be some candidates who in terms of the competency level assessment were higher, but overall the current MM was the number-one candidate,” said Mamekoa.
The DA’s Lethabile Kgwedi, a FTLM councillor, said the opposition party had been very clear from the onset that Phala’s appointment was irregular. “During the appointment of the current MM, we objected and requested that our objection be recorded. A report indicated the incumbent was at basic level and caution should be applied
when employing persons rated at basic level. There was someone who was competent to be employed, but they chose not to do so. Recordings are there and can be perused further for determination.”
The committee members blasted the FTLM’s political leadership and the accounting officer for failing to resolve the
Operation Mabone battle. They advised the municipality to settle it out of court.
The matter was referred to the provincial Coghsta and the Department of Treasury by Muthambi
