Six senior officials at the Bushbuckridge municipality in Mpumalanga are facing disciplinary action following damning findings by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, who exposed a manipulated recruitment process that favoured politically connected candidates over qualified applicants.
The municipality’s internal systems have been rocked by the appointments of Pawngeorge Zwane and Tshwarelo Kgwedi, who were handpicked for administrative clerk roles despite failing to meet the minimum requirements for the posts.
Irregular appointments
Zwane, who was appointed as an occupational health and safety administration clerk, had neither experience nor qualifications in the required field.
Kgwedi, appointed as a human resource administration clerk, does not have a matric certificate. This was a compulsory requirement, according to the job advertisement.
The public protector’s report confirmed long-standing allegations made by the labour union. The Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Unions of South Africa (Demawusa) had warned the former municipal manager Cynthia Nkuna about suspected pre-selection on the very day interviews were held.
“We were aware of a rumour that appointments had already been decided in advance,” unionist Lufuno Nonyane told the public protector. “We hoped that by informing her beforehand, she would ensure a fair and transparent process.”
Despite this warning, Zwane and Kgwedi were appointed. This was just as predicted in the sealed note handed to Nkuna.
Deeply flawed process
Gcaleka found the appointment process deeply flawed. “The conduct of the functionaries of the municipality in this instance constitutes improper conduct… and maladministration,” she wrote.
Zwane told investigators: “I do not have experience in the OHS environment.” This was confirmation that he was not suitable for the job.
Gcaleka noted that the scoring patterns in the interviews “may point to collusion among panel members”.
“Mr Zwane conceded that he was in possession of a National Diploma in Public Management. He did not have two years’ experience related to OHS/Human Resource Environment at the time of his appointment,” she said.
“In respect of the appointment of Ms Kgwedi, the investigation concluded that although she had relevant work experience and a National Diploma in Human Resources, the National N3 Certificate she submitted when she applied for the post is not equivalent to a Matric certificate as required in terms of the advertisement.”
Professional ethics violated
Gcaleka concluded that the conduct of the six panellists violated the values of impartiality, transparency, and professional ethics expected from public servants.
Former municipal manager Cynthia Nkuna told investigators: “I took the paper, but I told them I would not look at it.”
She denied interfering with the process, but did not take steps to halt it either.
The executive mayor Lydia Moroane has been ordered to table the report before council. She was also ordered to pursue possible legal steps to reverse the appointments.
Municipal manager Jasper Ngobeni must discipline the implicated officials. He must also ensure that all HR staff receive training on ethical recruitment practices.
Remedial action
Municipal spokesperson Fhumulani Thovakale confirmed the matter. She said the municipality was taking action against the panellists as recommended by Gcaleka. However, she stated that it was up to the board to seek a judicial review of the report.
“The report has been sent to the municipality’s disciplinary board, which will study it. They will advise the municipal manager and the executive mayor on what steps to take. Whether to take the report on judicial review or to implement all the recommendations,” she said.
