Pretoria - The City of Tshwane on Wednesday refused to be drawn into speculation that acting city manager Lindiwe Kwele was central to the ongoing investigation into the ill-fated TribeOne Dinokeng music festival.
It is believed that findings of the investigation into the controversial event could scupper her chances of getting the top post.
ANC caucus leader Mapiti Matsena previously stated they would support her bid to succeed Jason Ngobeni as municipal manager.
The event was conceived under ANC rule and cost the city millions in infrastructure development for the open field near Cullinan that had been chosen as the venue. There were also payments to artists, including a R10 million non-refundable deposit paid to Nicki Minaj.
Kwele was the head of the city’s team for the three-day festival
when she was deputy city manager.
Mayoral spokesman Samkelo Mgobozi said: “The investigation into the festival is still ongoing and therefore we are unable to comment on parties implicated in the report, as well as the total sum of money misused.”
Mgobozi said the outcome of the investigation would be made available to the media once it had been concluded. He added: “We cannot provide the names and other information of the candidates shortlisted and interviewed as they are holding other positions and this could jeopardise their current jobs.”
He said executive mayor Solly Msimanga simply did not want to rush into a permanent appointment of a city manager because he felt the panel required more time to apply their minds for the sole purpose of ensuring that no mistakes were made. “The request for an extension on the appointment of the new city manager was not subject to any investigation that is under way,” he added.
Msimanga withdrew a report on the appointment of a city manager during a special council sitting last week.
But Mgobozi denied that the mayor took the decision after he learnt about Kwele’s involvement in the musical gig.
In the council, Msimanga pleaded with councillors to extend Kwele’s contract as the acting city manager by 60 days. He said the panel was still processing the selection of a new candidate.
On Monday, Msimanga announced that the city had instituted a forensic investigation into TribeOne, but didn’t specify the names of people under investigation.