DURBAN - The name of the candidate who was recommended by an interviewing panel for the position of eThekwini municipal manager is expected to be revealed at an executive committee meeting on Tuesday.
Although the municipality’s spokesperson, Mluleki Mtungwa, refused to confirm this, the Daily News has been informed that the public might know the name of the recommended person soon.
Sources say out of three candidates who who were recommended, the panel, which included mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, had apparently chosen Ray Nkonyeni municipal manager Max Mbili.
The candidate is also expected to be formally introduced at a full council meeting on Thursday for approval.
In terms of the Municipal Systems Act the council has powers to fire and hire municipal managers.
The Daily News understands that other top contenders included Sipho Cele, who acted in the position after the sacking of the Sipho Nzuza last year, as well as current acting manager Musa Mbhele.
Mtungwa said that once all the processes had been finalised, the mayor would announce the successful candidate, urging the media to allow the process to run smoothly without disturbances.
The Daily News had previously reported that Mbili was one of the suggested candidates for the position, he is credited with turning Ray Nkonyeni municipality around – the municipality achieved its first clean audit outcome ever in the 2014/2015 financial year under him.
He was said to be favoured by Premier Sihle Zikalala, which was denied by the premier and mayor Kaunda, who said the premier and the ANC had no role in hiring the city manager. Mbili refused to comment but confirmed that he applied for and was interviewed for the position.
The municipal manager position was advertised in December, with an attractive salary of R3 million per annum. The position proved to be in high demand when more than 290 candidates applied for it. The number was eventually trimmed down to 27 and finally to three last week.
The position was left vacant for almost a year after the city parted ways with Nzuza, who is facing corruption charges relating to a R400m solid waste tender.
He was charged alongside former mayor Zandile Gumede and other former councillors and city officials. The matter returns to Durban High Court on Tuesday.
Daily News