Neither a “yes” nor a “no” came from Coghsta when asked by the Chairpersons Association (CA) to have observer status when candidates for top positions in the Makhado Municipality are recruited, shortlisted and interviewed.

The CA received a letter from the provincial department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta). The letter dated 10 July refrained from giving a direct answer on whether or not the CA will be allowed observer status.

The CA pressed this issue because they want to ensure that transparency is maintained and that open and honest appointments are made in the best interest of the public, as well as the governing structures.

“We suggest that you get the public on board and that you take the public into your confidence with proper appointments... The public is not going to accept this situation (poor service delivery) any longer and will challenge the controlling authorities in court in order to compel the authorities to do their work,” threatened the CA in their reply dated 23 July. They also referred to disruptions and riots that might start occurring, especially because of the lack of proper water supply.

Ms Nnana Manamela, HOD of Coghsta, said that the municipality was mandated by legislation when making appointments of municipal managers and managers reporting directly to the municipal manager as outlined in the Municipal Systems Act (MSA).

The CA Chairperson, Mr André Naudé, on the other hand, said that the MSA does not exclude transparency in the recruitment processes, and “neither is the opportunity denied to the public to have observer status in order to ensure that no corrupt processes are being followed … and to ensure that the best candidate for the position is appointed based on their intellectual abilities, qualifications, skills and experience.”

“We told them that we want an urgent and direct answer whether or not the CA and the Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association will obtain observer status,” Naudé said. The CA said that if observer status was refused, special reasons should be given.

Coghsta mentioned that municipalities are supported, assisted and monitored by their department to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. The CA turned that around and replied that Coghsta should then “also be held accountable for the poor state of affairs in respect of service delivery at the Makhado Municipality.”

“Many bad appointments had been made during the past 10 years, where there is a definite pattern that whenever the mayor is fired, the contracts of the municipal manager, as well as the chief financial officer, are not renewed, thereby creating the impression that these three very important appointments are made without proper qualifications and/or basis,” said Naudé.