WHILE opposition parties serving in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) has reacted with anger at the planned appointment of controversial candidate, former Amatole District Municipality municipal manager (MM) Chris Magwangqana as the EMLM’s new municipal manager, the decision has not yet reached the office of the cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa.
Mgwangqana was implicated in a toilet tender scandal worth R631-million, which aimed to build 66 000 toilets in villages headed by ADM, during his tenure. According to Dispatch Live (“ANC faces behind toilet tender scandal”, February 28, 2015) he confirmed the tender had been awarded to Siyenza Group without following regular supply chain management processes.
Opposition parties in EMLM, the UDM, the DA and the EFF have indicated that they would oppose the appointment as rules of council had not been followed in tabling the item with the EFF also threatening court action.
The department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam saidtoday Xasa had not yet received a communique from EMLM regarding the appointment of an MM.
“When the MEC receives communication about an appointed MM he will check whether all processes were followed and if they have, he will send a concurrence letter to the municipality. If processes were not properly followed then the MEC will respond accordingly.”
The South African Municipal Workers Union(SAMWU) Chris Hani regional secretary Mongameli Mancam has since stated the union’s support for Magwangqana, indicating that Samwu believed he had the right credentials to lead the local authority to stability.
