The appointment of 30 formerly temporary municipal staff workers as permanent employees has become something of a political football.
Ravesh Bisram, who is standing as the EFF’s candidate in Ward 7, said the resolution to change the employees’ work contract had been done at a Council meeting in July.
“All parties were present at the meeting and we understand that the Mayor’s bodyguards were also employed as full-time workers. There were no internal or external adverts, advertising these posts and we understand that the unions are also upset by this decision.”
Anthon Raubenheimer of the DA told the Courier that the resolution was on the Council agenda but he had told the meeting that decisions regarding the employment of staff (excluding senior staff) is a line function of the senior managers and not a Council function. “As far as the employment of bodyguards goes, the DA has no knowledge of that as it was not brought up at the meeting. We are concerned that this could be an election ploy by the ANC.”
The IFP’s senior Councillor, Bongiwe Mbatha, referred the Courier to Councillor S Richard Mbatha, who was busy with last minute campaigning and was unable to respond.
The ANC referred the Courier to the municipality for comment but at the time of going to press, they were yet to respond.