By Libuseng Nyaka
Madala Ntombela
QWA QWA – The controversy surrounding Madala Ntombela’s appointment as new Municipal Manager (MM) at Maluti A Phofung (MAP) Municipality has deepened with opposition parties threatening to oppose the appointment in the courts and lodge complaints with the Pubic Protector’s office.
Opposition parties in the Maluti A Phofung council say the appointment was unlawful as Ntombela was appointed MM although he had failed to fulfil educational requirements for the post.
Supporting their objection, the president of Dikwankwetla South Africa party Moeketsi Lebesa said Ntombela did not apply for the post as his name was not among shortlisted candidates for interviews by the August 3 deadline.
“Ntate Ntombela was smuggled in. The fact that he did bring along certificates during the interview is evidence enough. His certificates were only faxed on September 4, a month and a day after the August 3 closing date. The certificates were unacceptable as they were not certified but were just copies.
“During the interview I made it clear that Mr Ntombela should provide certificates before a special council sitting. But still he did not. We were only shown faxed copies contrary to stipulated requirements for the post. Only certified copies are official,” Lebesa said.
He added: “I would suggest the Mayor nullifies his appointment because it flouts the Act which disqualifies candidates for administrative posts in government while they still hold a political position. Mr Ntombela is a treasurer of ANC at Fezile Dabi.”
Lebesa backed his arguments by citing the Local Government Municipal Act which stipulates in Section 51 (A) that: “A municipal manager may not hold political office in a political party, whether permanent, temporary or acting capacity.”
Lebesa advised Executive Mayor Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli to withdraw the appointment to allow Mr Ntombela to resign as treasurer of Fezile Dabi or risk being challenged in the public Protector’s office for flouting provisions of the Municipal Structures Amendment Act which outlaws people holding political office from being appointed municipal managers.
Lebesa’s sentiments were echoed by a member of the Congress for the People (Cope), Dieke Jack Mokoena who expressed dissatisfaction with Ntombela’s appointment.
“We are filing a court interdict challenging the legality of Ntombela’s appointment. This is not an appointment but a deployment.Mr Ntombela is a mayor of Mafube Local Municipality where he was known for poor performance. He always receives a disclaimer. He does not qualify for post of MM.
“How can we trust him to run our municipality? We are not a dumping ground. This is purely a political decision because he is the husband to MEC for Social Development Sisi Ntombela. So Premier Ace Magashule is building his team for the coming general election by 2014,” Mokoena fumed
The Democratic Alliance’s Leon Kleymhans also registered her concern about the appointment.
“MM is a key administrator in the municipality. The post holder should not be appointed based on political affiliation but the person must be qualified to do the job. Mr Ntombela is a teacher and has no qualification or skills for the post,” Kleymhans said.
“There were other candidates who were highly qualified than him for the post. I have already written a letter to our shadow cabinet minister for local government about this matter.”
Lebesa said he would also ask candidate who had applied and hold the requisite qualifications for the post to lodge a complaint with the authorities. The acting MM Stephen Kau also applied but did not qualify because he failed to produce a matric certificate plus a three year diploma or degree.
Eight candidates who met the requirements were VJ Matshila, Mokhethi MJ, Maboya MB, Leforaw, Setitisho MB, Mutshinyali IP and Shakwane T.
But ANC councillor Shashapa Joshua Motaung said the Local Government Municipal Act Section 57 allows for “Ntombela’sappointment as long as he resigns from being ANC treasurer within 60 days”.
He also said members of opposition party were free to go to the Public Protector’s office if they were not satisfied with the appointment.But Lebesa derisively dismissed Motaung’s argument because “of his low level of education”.