Senior managers to cost Tshwane millions, begin turnaround of cash-strapped city

Tshwane has completed recruitment for seven senior manager positions, hoping that the new blood in these positions will reverse its ailing performance and cashflow.

According to a September council report, the new managers are guaranteed remuneration of between R1-million and R3.2-million a year, depending on qualifications and experience.

The set of new managers will help drive the fixing of street lights and potholes, waste removal and stabilising of finances.

Since December 2022, the metro has been on a mission to fill the posts of chief of police, chief of emergency services, chief financial officer, chief operations officer, chief audit executive, head of strategy and management support, as well as that of governance and support officer.

The chief of emergency services and head of strategy and management support posts have been vacant since 2021, and the chief of police post since 2023.

The other four became vacant throughout 2022.

Tshwane manager Johan Mettler said: “I am pleased to report that in September, the Tshwane council approved the appointment of seven senior managers.”

The following officials assumed duty on November 1:

– Governance and Support Officer

Ashraf Adam (60) emerged as the top candidate and holds a Master’s degree in town and regional planning from the University of Natal.

Self-employed at Ashraf Adam Consulting since August 2022, he has also served as CEO at the Mandela Bay Development Agency, and as Economic Development and Planning Executive Director at the South African Local Government Association.

– Chief Financial Officer

Gareth Mnisi emerged as the top candidate after serving as CFO at the Rand West City and Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, as well as deputy CFO at Thaba Chweu Municipality and as an advisor in The Treasury.

Mnisi holds a Master’s of Commerce degree (MCom) from the University of Johannesburg.

– Group Head strategy: Office of the City Manager

Paledi Marota holds a Master’s of Business Addministration degree from the Regent Business School.

The 44-year-old emerged as the top candidate for the position and has served as Head Strategic Support, Strategic Advisor and Divisional Head Performance Auditor at the Ekurhuleni metro.

– Chief Audit Executive

Makhapule Khosa (46) emerged as a top candidate. He has completed audit work in Tshwane from 2014 to 2016 and worked for the Ekurhuleni metro as Executive Manager, for Pikitup as Audit Specialist and for the Johannesburg Roads Agency as Audit Manager.

Khosa of Wilgeheuwel holds an MBA from Mancosa.

The following officials assumed duty on October 1:

– Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Vuyo Zitumane from East London (58) emerged as the top candidate and is a seasoned administrator with over 20 years’ experience in local government.

Zitumane served as Chief Executive at Amatola Water in 2018 and resigned in protest two years later.

She also served at the Nelson Mandela metro in 2015, and was an administrator at Mnquma Municipality in 2013 and Sundays River Municipality in 2010.

– Chief of Police

Yolande Catherine Renee Faro from Gqeberha (49) emerged as the top candidate, as she has over 25 years’ experience in the municipal and metro police environments.

Faro was Chief of Police in Nelson Mandela Bay in 2016 and deputy chief of police in Cape Town in 1998.

– Chief of Emergency Services

Moshema Mosia (60) emerged as the top candidate with 36 years’ experience in the emergency services environment.

Mosia was promoted to Chief of Emergency Services after being employed as Divisional Chief for Fire and Rescue operations in May 2018.

He was previously employed in the Ekurhuleni metro from 2003 to 2006.

Mettler said he wanted to assure the public that the recruitment of the senior managers was transparent and fair.

“All candidates were subjected to a very rigorous and robust council-approved process, which included competency assessments, qualification verifications, employment screening and security vetting.

“The appointment of these senior managers permanently will restore administrative stability and ensure good governance while taking the city forward.”

Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink welcomed the new team.

He said it was expected to grow performance and professionalism in Tshwane.

“We officially welcome all the newly-appointed managers to Tshwane. This is an important development which presents an incredible opportunity to change our metro’s organisational culture to one of high performance and professionalism.

“We believe we have selected a fit-for-purpose group of skilled professionals who will be instrumental in turning Tshwane around by ensuring we break the networks of corruption within the city.”

He said it was important that the managers learned from their past mistakes and changed the culture of self-enrichment to one of service to communities.

“These senior managers are appointed on a permanent basis and will serve within the confines of the law and constitution of whichever democratically-elected administration that comes into power,” said Brink.

He said he was pleased that the council had approved the appointment of these managers that would report directly to the city manager.

The yearly remuneration for each position is as follows:

– Chief Financial Officer – from R1 876 245 to R2 814 370

– Chief of Emergency Services – from R1 784 387 to R2 404 136

– Chief of Police – from R1 784 387 to R2 404 136

– Chief Operations Officer – from R2 055 005 to R3 147 538

– Governance and Support Officer – from R2 055 005 to R3 147 538

– Group Audit Executive – from R1 784 387 to R2 404 136

– Group Head: Strategy and Management Support – from R1 784 387 to R2 404 136

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