Polokwane mayor’s job offer on Mandela Day sparks nepotism concerns

POLOKWANE – The DA in Limpopo raised concerns over political interference in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) recruitment process in the Polokwane Municipality after Mayor John Mpe offered unemployed residents jobs during a recent Mandela Day celebration at extension 44.

Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala, however, refuted claims that this points to nepotism, saying it speaks only of legal and compassionate governance.

Androe Botha, DA councillor in the municipality, said in a media release that the DA is deeply concerned after Mpe publicly promised EPWP opportunities to all individuals present.

“While we acknowledge the importance of Mandela Day and the value of community service, it is unacceptable for participation in a commemorative civic event to be implied as a gateway to job opportunities, especially where procedural fairness and access to opportunity for all are legally required,” Botha said and claimed that Mpe’s pronouncement during public celebrations may have created a perception of political patronage or queue-jumping, undermining the principles of merit, transparency and equal access that the EPWP stands for.

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According to Botha, the appointment of EPWP and casual workers is an administrative function, not a political one and comments like this undermine public trust in the EPWP processes.

“It is no surprise that the 2024 Bowmans Report highlighted the irregularities and lack of oversight in EPWP appointments in the municipality as a matter of concern,” she added.

The municipality’s draft EPWP recruitment policy that will soon be adopted, clearly states that registration on the jobseeker database is open to all unemployed residents who meet eligibility requirements, that registration does not guarantee employment, nor may it be used for preferential treatment and that the EPWP recruitment must be randomised and equitable, following transparent, auditable processes.

These criteria are also in line with the guidelines for EPWP employment as published by the Minister of Labour.

The concerns raised by the DA include lack of clarity in the randomisation process and how it aligns with national EPWP guidelines, political interference in an administrative function, and the risk of politicising poverty alleviation programmes and undermining public confidence in the fairness of processes.

The DA also called on the municipality to publicly release the EPWP recruitment criteria and selection procedures, clarify the role of political office-bearers in recruitment matters, ensure that future job opportunities are communicated openly and through inclusive platforms and implement an independent oversight mechanism to monitor fairness when applying the EPWP policy.

Spokesperson for the municipality, Thipa Selala labelled the commentary on the matter as misleading and stated that the municipality rejects any attempt to distort a social development initiative into a false narrative of nepotism.

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“The mayor’s commitment to uplift the unemployed, especially those who show initiative and community spirit, remains firm but always within the bounds of the law and categorically stated that there is no nepotism, no irregularity and no preferential treatment in the process. The individuals referred to during the Mandela Day address were simply acknowledged for their voluntary service and were registered in the municipality’s unemployment database. This registration does not guarantee employment, but places them into the system for consideration, subject to qualification and compliance with all existing EPWP recruitment criteria,” Selala said.

He added that the EPWP is not a conventional employment programme, but rather a social intervention mechanism designed by the national government to provide temporary relief to the poor and unemployed.

It is one of many similar interventions as social grants, indigent support to receive free basic services geared towards restoring dignity and providing livelihoods to vulnerable groups.

Selala emphasised that the mayor, in his capacity as political leader, is well within his legal mandate to pronounce on the expansion of EPWP opportunities as part of broader developmental priorities.

“The recruitment and appointment of EPWP participants, however, remain an administrative function, handled strictly by the office of the city manager, and must comply with transparent and fair processes, as guided by EPWP national recruitment guidelines and municipal policy,” he said.

Selala reiterated that the process currently unfolding is consistent with these legal frameworks and administrative standards. “Those registered are being screened for eligibility, and no one is appointed by political instruction or favouritism, he concluded and urged the public to seek clarity from credible sources and to support programmes aimed at empowering communities, not undermining them with reckless accusations.