Durban - Smaller political parties in eThekwini Municipality believe the allegations of corruption swirling around the process to appoint a new city manager will not affect the ability of councillors to select the best candidate for the position.
Councillor Jay Singh of the United Independent Movement said there had been frank discussion within the block of smaller parties on the type of city manager that should be appointed.
While some smaller parties added that they had confidence in the manner in which the process has been carried out, others called for an formal investigation into allegations of wrongdoing that were discussed by deputy mayor Philani Mavundla on Tuesday. The allegations have been levelled against Mavundla and he on Tuesday adamantly denied any wrongdoing.
The voting by the bloc of smaller parties is key in the appointment of a city manager as the ANC governs the municipality with their help.
“While we will take the views of the deputy mayor into consideration, we as the smaller parties intend to make sure that of the three candidates that will be put forward, only the best is appointed,” said Singh.
Acting city manager Musa Mbhele, former eThekwini city manager Sbu Sithole, and eThekwini deputy city manager Musa Gumede, are understood to be the front runners for the top job.
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said on Tuesday that the city manager could be appointed to the position within the next two weeks. He said the candidates were expected to undergo their competency tests, administered by Cogta, this week.
The process to appoint a city manager came under scrutiny on Tuesday after it emerged that an organisation called People First had written to mayor Mxolisi Kaunda making allegations that the process had been interfered with, again.
It made allegations of bribery, claiming there had been inducements to panel members to make sure one of the candidates was appointed.
This was the second time that the process to fill the position, which has been vacant for more than a year and has raised the concerns of the Auditor-General of SA, had come under security.
The first attempt to make the appointment a few months ago collapsed after allegations emerged that the ANC had interfered with the process and had wanted Max Mbili to be appointed as the city manager. The full council voted against his appointment.
Kaunda denied that there had been interference in the first round, but the allegations forced a change in the composition of the interview panel, with Kaunda making way for Mavundla as the chair of the panel and the inclusion of members of the opposition parties.
Patrick Pillay of the Democratic Liberal Congress (DLC) said while the allegations should be investigated, they should not be used to derail a process that had been deemed to be fair.
“The interview panel was formed by the council,” said Pillay. He described the allegations as sad, saying they could be detrimental to the city.
“The DLC believes the allegations should be investigated, but cannot be used to derail the process to fill the city manager position, the city needs to have an administrator in place,” said Pillay.
African Democratic Change leader Visvin Reddy said the allegations were serious and deserve an independent investigation as they put into question the process to appoint the city manager.
Jameel Essop of the ACDP expressed faith in the interview panel, saying it was a panel formed by council, and the allegations made against Mavundla would have no impact on the candidate it appointed.
“I will not comment on the allegations made, but Mavundla is not a council (on his own), it takes a lot more parties to make a decision. We will look at the candidate brought before us and we will appoint the best candidate in the interest of the municipality,” he said.