EXCLUSIVE: ANC eThekwini task team summons councillors over hiring processes for seasonal municipal jobs

The ANC’s eThekwini regional task team has been accused of “blatant interference” in the recruitment processes of the eThekwini Municipality.

This comes after a letter surfaced showing that the regional task team has summoned senior councillors in the ANC to explain how seasonal and community workers were hired during the festive season. The senior leaders have been called to appear before the party on Thursday to explain themselves.

A source in the ANC described the conduct of the task team as “appalling”, adding that this is by far the most blatant interference they have ever seen. He said there are no allegations of any wrongdoing by the municipality.

The letter, signed by Simiso Mkhize, the regional coordinator, stated: “The African National Congress in the eThekwini Region hereby invites the Troika to a formal engagement with the regional leadership on matters relating to governance, human resources, and community-based employment programmes within the municipality.”

“It is to ensure a comprehensive and informed engagement that the Troika is requested to extend this invitation to the chairpersons and relevant officials of the following committees:

• Governance and Human Resources Committee: This committee is headed by Councillor Nkosenhle Madlala.
• Community and Emergency Services Committee: This committee is led by Councillor Zama Sokhabase.”

The letter added: “The purpose of the meeting is to receive clarity, reports, and supporting documentation relating to employment processes and oversight matters within the mandates of the above committees. Accordingly, the following is requested:

• Governance and Human Resources Committee: To present and submit a detailed list of all seasonal workers that were employed during the festive season.
• Community and Emergency Services Committee: To present and submit a detailed list of community mobilisers recently employed and to provide a clear outline of the process followed in the recruitment, appointment, and deployment of these community mobilisers.

“The ANC eThekwini Region considers this engagement critical in strengthening political oversight, transparency, and accountability while ensuring adherence to organisational values and governance principles. Your cooperation and confirmation of attendance will be appreciated,” it concluded.

The letter has shocked ANC insiders and councillors in the eThekwini Municipality. A source with knowledge of the matter stated that this was the most overt and public interference they have ever seen in the municipality's employment processes.

“We know that there are always allegations that the ANC interferes with the selection, but this is the most overt that I have ever seen, to call the councillor to come and account for the appointment of seasonal workers. It is quite clear that the task team wanted to have its own people employed there as we are heading towards the elections.

“The task team is placed there to assist the region in holding a conference; it is shocking that they are busy interfering with the hiring processes,” said the source.

The opposition party councillors represented in eThekwini said this will not be tolerated, adding that the ANC's cadre deployment is fully entrenched in all spheres of government.

DA councillor Thabani Mthethwa expressed deep concern about the situation, stating that it could further undermine the municipality.

“The recruitment processes in the municipality must be free and fair, and it is deeply concerning that the ANC region would want the councillors to be involved in the recruitment process, something they ought not to be. It is concerning that the ANC would want to perpetuate interference because it is that interference that has led us to where we are, where the city is crumbling,” he said.

IFP councillor Mdu Nkosi also found the letter and the insinuation it makes to be deeply concerning, adding that he finds any alleged interference unacceptable.

“In eThekwini, there are thousands of young people out there looking for jobs, any opportunity that could transform their lives. Some of these people are not politically affiliated.

“This is shocking, and it is frightening to us as the IFP. The IFP respects officials and does not interfere with how they carry out their duties.

“As this matter is now public, we are going to raise it with the ANC so they can explain to us, as the letter suggests, whether Councillor Madlala is supposed to influence officials to hire ANC members. We are going to ask that they explain to us whether they are also suggesting that only ANC people should work,” said Nkosi.

The ANC in eThekwini said in a statement that the party is obliged to seek clarity from its political deployees to provide accurate feedback to society.

“When communities raise issues regarding employment opportunities or public programmes, the ANC is obliged to seek clarity from its political deployees in order to provide accurate feedback to society.”

It also said that the correspondence in question is an internal organisational communication intended to facilitate a political oversight and clarity engagement with ANC deployees and relevant committee leadership.

The party also stated:

• The letter does not instruct, influence, or interfere with any municipal recruitment or administrative processes.

• All employment and appointment processes within the Municipality are conducted in accordance with applicable legislation, policies, and municipal procedures, which remain independent of the ANC.

• The engagement sought is limited to oversight and accountability, which is the only role permitted for politicians in municipal matters.

• The ANC does not participate in operational or administrative decision-making within the Municipality.

• The purpose of the engagement is to ensure that the organisation is able to respond responsibly and factually to concerns raised by communities.

• The leaking of an internal letter is regrettable, but it does not alter the lawful and legitimate intent of the engagement.

• The ANC remains committed to good governance, transparency, and service to the people.

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