INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

Western Cape premier Helen Zille. Photo: Ayanda Ndamane

The ANC in the Western Cape has demanded answers from premier Helen Zille over the appointment this month of a communications director previously employed by a company linked to TBWA/Hunt Lascaris.

The communications tender, worth between R50 million and R70m, is a two-year contract for a brand and communications strategy for the Western Cape government.

In a question without notice to Zille in the legislature on Thursday, ANC MPL Zodwa Magwaza asked Zille whether she knew that Carol Avenant, the newly appointed corporate communications director in Zille’s department, worked for Yellowwood Future Architects – a company which is owned by TBWA/Hunt Lascaris.

In reply, Zille said she had no idea who Avenant was and that it was her understanding that the post was vacant.

According to Avenant’s profile on the online professional network LinkedIn, she has been the corporate communications director in Zille’s department since October 1.

Yellowwood Future Architects was acquired by TBWA/South Africa in 2008.

Nick Clelland-Stokes, the provincial government’s communications chief, confirmed that Avenant was working in the department of the premier as an acting communications director, but that she did not report to him directly.

He referred all queries to her line manager, Andre Joemat, who is the head of the provincial government’s corporate services centre. Joemat said Avenant was recruited in line with the provincial government’s recruitment process.

He said she was appointed on a six-month contract and started working on October 1.

“The post was advertised on several occasions in the past and none of those advertisements yielded a suitable candidate,” Joemat said.

“A decision was taken to fill the position on contract and to scout for persons who could be considered for a fixed-term contract. After interviewing the candidate and receipt of assessment results, a decision was made to recommend the appointment of Ms Avenant to the premier, and the provincial Cabinet, who endorsed the recommendation.”

Joemat said Avenant had worked for Yellowwood for three years before applying for the post, and that the appointment was signed off by Brent Gerber, director-general in the department of the premier.

“As is the norm for the appointment of all senior management appointments, including contractual appointments, the provincial Cabinet was informed,” he said.

Lynne Brown, ANC MPL and leader of the opposition in the legislature, said it was unacceptable that Zille did not know who had been appointed to key roles in her department.

She said all senior positions in the department of the premier had to be approved by Zille.

“We want to know if Carol Avenant had any role in the bid or tender which was awarded to TBWA,” Brown said. “If she was part of the team that applied for the tender or at all involved with the bid, then it must be investigated.”

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is investigating circumstances surrounding the provincial government’s multimillion rand communications contract awarded to TBWA Hunt Lascaris.

Asked about political interference in tender processes by DA MPL Jenny Hartnick, Zille said: “The Treasury laws ensure that there is no political interference in tender processes.”

clayton.barnes@inl.co.za - Cape Argus