Tshwane jobs-for-pals puts ANC before the people

14 September 2014

Tshwane Metro Mayor, Kgosientso Ramakgopa's insistence on deploying ANC loyalists to senior positions in the municipality shows his complete disregard for the service delivery needs of residents.

A leaked list of dozens of names, apparently divided into areas of the city, indicates where these individuals are employed. Ramokgopa went further indicating the ANC administration in the city "would be stupid" to employ people who were not ANC members and who would not "extend the influence of the values of the ANC and its allies".

Ramokgopa's administration is facing a sea of troubles, including the suspension of a number of senior managers in municipal structures and a stinging High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal rejection of deeply flawed Ward Committee elections early in 2012.

Poor election results for the ANC in Tshwane during the May 2014 polls, the party only garnered 51% of votes cast, is a clear indication that residents have had enough of inept governance. Factionalism within the ANC has spilled on to city streets, with opposing groups threatening each other with sjamboks and firearms.

The defiant affirmation by Mayor Ramokgopa that political affiliation and not merit counts in appointing staff to serve the public in his city, the country's capital, is a clear rejection of Section 9 of the Bill of Rights, which entrenches protection against discrimination.

The DA believes in employing people based on "fit for purpose", and does so where it governs. We will be taking this matter up with the MEC for Local Government and insist that the distinction between party and state is made clear - allowing skilled professionals to best serve the people of Tshwane, and not just those that are politically connected.

Statement issued by Justus de Goede MPL, DA Tshwane Constituency Head, September 14 2014

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