Johannesburg – The DA-led coalition in the City of Johannesburg has wasted little time in dismantling cadre deployment policy that is often associated with inefficiency as party affiliation takes precedence over competence.
In a letter dated 19 January, MMC for corporate governance and shared services Leah Knott said competence will be prioritised when appointments are made in the administration.
“A number of our positions have been vacant for a long time.
“Health had not had a head of department for four years, so we’re basically putting out a call to our people in our communities to apply and bring their experience to the City in order to help the City of Johannesburg to flourish.
The idea is that we really want skilled innovative professionals in these departments,” she wrote.
Top positions advertised include executive director roles for economic development; group corporate and shared services; group strategy, policy co-ordination and relations; and health.
“The key position of city manager has also been advertised.
“While we are grateful to acting city manager Floyd Brink for steering the City through difficult times, the city needs a permanent city manager, who will bring certainty and stability to the administration and enable the multiparty government to achieve its service delivery priorities,” Knott said.
Mayor Mpho Phalatse last month finalised her mayoral committee, with her party only securing four seats on the 10-seat mayoral committee.
Insiders within the City allege that the move to advertise positions openly for public participation is aimed at getting rid of ANC deployees who have been running the show though some of them do not possess the necessary skills.
“The DA and its coalition partners are already at work to remove rouge elements and to replace them with proper and skilled officials, hence they are advertising these positions. Many people are scared that they might even be told to reapply for their positions and this might lead to revolt and the collapse of services.
The DA is cracking the whip and this is making many officials who are not qualified to be in senior positions shaking,” said an insider within the council.
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