The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Co-operative Governance (COGTA) has welcomed today’s judgement which has effectively confirmed its policy that unqualified individuals have no place in managerial positions in local government.
KZN COGTA has successfully contested the appointment of the municipal manager at Ntambanana local municipality because the department believed this individual did not meet the minimum criteria in terms of formal qualifications for the post.
This matter served before the court and the order was granted in favour of the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Reacting to the court ruling KZNCOGTA MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube said “We have made it a matter of principle to ensure by reviewing all top municipal appointments that only qualified persons are eligible for employment in managerial positions by all our municipalities.”
“The matter ended up in court which has now given additional weight to our determination in ensuring that we employ only the best persons for the positions of authority in our municipalities,” said Dube-Ncube.
KZN COGTA believes that this court ruling sets an important precedent for all municipalities in the province to ensure that the candidates they select for their top managerial positions are adequately qualified.
“Should any other municipality disregard this warning, we will not hesitate to take legal action in pursuit of a professional local government which we as an oversight department are promoting as a model of governance in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Dube-Ncube.
“In this term of office we want Local Government to be serviced by skilled and capable people who understand and appreciate the sense of urgency we are bringing to deliver services to the people” Dube-Ncube added.
For more information contact:
KZN COGTA spokesperson Lennox Mabaso
Cell: 082 884 2403
