Ekurhuleni waste management collapsing despite thousands spent to appoint HOD

by Cllr. Brandon Pretorius — DA City of Ekurhuleni Caucus Leader
Date: 06 December 2024

Despite thousands of Rands spent to appoint a Head of Department (HOD) for Environmental Resources and Waste Management, this crucial position remains vacant and waste management services around the City of Ekurhuleni collapse.

In response to written questions posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Ald. Sivuyile Ngodwana, it was revealed that the position had been advertised twice this year, once in January and again in May.

To advertise this position, with two accompanying vacancies, the city spent R R61 787.15.

The city spent a further R68 356.44 on the services of a Technical Expert who sat on the selection panel to ensure that a fit for purpose individual was selected and met the academic and technical requirements as advertised.

In the November 2024 council meeting, an item was brought to council seeking to advertise the position once again.

While the DA is of the view that this position has remained vacant for far too long, vacant since March 2023, and must be filled — we also insist that the city stop wasting money on this exercise.

The DA has long advocated that the selection panel for short-listed candidates be inclusive of councillors, as it is council that appoints HODs.

As the second largest party in Council, the DA has insisted that we have representation on the panel to ensure that due diligence is done.

This was met by stern opposition by the ANC-EFF coalition running the city.

This department is one of the most lucrative cash-cows for syndicates who wish to fleece the municipal coffers, so their resistance to this proposal came as no surprise.

While a councillor from a party outside of the ANC-EFF cabal was afforded a seat on the panel, the DA is still of the belief that panel selection should be proportionate to the number of seats held in council.

We will closely monitor this process to ensure that city funds are not squandered and that a fit for purpose individual is appointed who will be able to get the city's waste management back on track.

Media Enquiries:

Cllr. Brandon Pretorius
DA City of Ekurhuleni Caucus Leader
063 374 2614