In introducing Namhla Siwahla-Dlulane to the municipality, Municipal Manager Ntombi Baart was at pains to explain that she was not a replacement for suspended chief financial officer Jackson Ngcelwane, but had been deployed by the national treasury to assist in carrying out his duties over the next two months.
In introducing Namhla Siwahla-Dlulane to the municipality, Municipal Manager Ntombi Baart was at pains to explain that she was not a replacement for suspended chief financial officer Jackson Ngcelwane, but had been deployed by the national treasury to assist in carrying out his duties over the next two months.
Ngcelwane's suspension lapses soon, but at a council meeting last week, Executive Mayor Zamuxolo Peter said that the disciplinary process was still continuing.
In the interim, Siwahla-Dlulane will carry out his functions in the municipality. The municipality had previously stated that Ngcelwane's suspension would be for a period of no longer than three months, as per the municipality's disciplinary code.
"I mentioned in the last meeting that the CFO was on cautionary suspension and we would not like to interfere with that process," Peter said last week.
"I am happy to report that in the Special Council meeting on 10 August, Council resolved that the process continues and Mr Ngcelwane, the CFO, remains innocent up until proven otherwise."
Sources said a hearing for Ngcelwane had been scheduled for 26 August.
Baart said of Siwahla-Dlulane, "She is no stranger to the municipality. She has been deployed before for a period of three months as part of the Ngcelwane receives full pay, in accordance with Local Government Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers, of just over R72 000 a month, while he waits for the disciplinary process to be finalised.
Baart said it was anticipated that the disciplinary process would be concluded within three months.
