ANC councillors and their opposition counterparts at the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality in North West are planning to approach the courts to reverse a decision by council speaker Sarah Nkatlo to unilaterally appoint a chief financial officer (CFO) who they say did not meet the job requirements.
The Dispute
The councillors accuse Nkatlo of appointing officials without considering the council’s preference for a more experienced candidate, as identified by the council majority.
The municipal manager submitted three candidates for consideration. ANC councillors favoured the first candidate on the list. However, opposition parties and four dissenting ANC councillors identified the second candidate as more suitablehe possessed extensive experience and relevant qualifications and is a CFO in another municipality.
The Walkout
On Friday, four ANC councillors walked out of a meeting in protest as the CFO appointment was on the agenda.
Together with councillors from Sapa, EFF, DA, Freedom Front Plus, and Forum For Service Delivery, they said by ignoring the majority, Nkatlo violated the council’s established rules.
The Speaker’s Action
Instead of putting the matter to a council vote, Nkatlo overruled the majority and appointed the first candidate as CFO.
Despite objections from both the opposition and a faction of the ANC, Nkatlo insisted she was exercising her “discretion” and allegedly directed the council to move on to the next agenda item.
The Second Appointment
The subsequent agenda item was the appointment of the director of community services.
Nkatlo rushed it through, allegedly to facilitate the appointment of a particular candidatea manager in her office.
Again, the opposition and four ANC councillors objected, advocating for an apparently better-qualified candidate.
The Next Step
The councillors plan to approach the courts to reverse the decision.
The Bottom Line
A speaker ignoring the majority. A CFO appointment contested. A second appointment rushed.
Maquassi Hills is heading to courtand the question is whether the law will back the speaker’s “discretion” or the majority’s preference.
