The department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs has urged the Makana Municipality to finalise the position of its suspended chief financial officer (CFO), Jackson Ngcelwane, by next month.
The department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs has urged the Makana Municipality to finalise the position of its suspended chief financial officer (CFO), Jackson Ngcelwane, by next month.
This is according to a recent letter addressed to the municipal manager, Ntombi Baart, stating that it has responded to her request for support in the duties of the CFO.
A letter from the department dated 17 October stated that Namhla Dlulane had been confirmed as the acting CFO for a period of three months. The letter also states that the municipality is requested "to finalise all matters relating to the suspension of the CFO as soon as possible in order that the CFO can either return to work or that the post can be appropriately filled.
"If the latter is the case it is vital that Ms Dlulane is able to make a proper hand-over within the secondment period and not thereafter."
The conditions of Dlulane's assignment are that:
* The Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs will continue paying Dlulane's salary, which is currently 685 200 a year (R57 100 a month). Should the salary be less than the Makana CFO position, the municipality would pay the difference. According to a recent report, the CFO is currently paid R640 974.60 a year – roughly R53 000 a month. The report states that it excludes the provision of a performance bonus.
* The municipality will provide Dlulane with all the necessary working tools such as office space, computer and cellphone. The municipality would foot the bill for official travel and accommodation while Dlulane is on municipal business.
* Dlulane is expected to compile a detailed action plan "immediately" when assuming duty. The action plan will be used to assess her performance during her appointment and must be submitted to both Baart and the department for approval. Once the action plan has been approved, written monthly progress reports must be submitted to Baart by the seventh day of each month and thereafter to the department.
While Councillor Julia Wells said it sounded very irregular that somebody would assess herself, Baart said this was normal practice. Council was first introduced to Dlulane in a council meeting on 25 August in order to handle financial management activities of the municipality, effective from 22 August.
The October letter stipulated that the matter should be finalised by the end of November. The report at the meeting made mention of a circular issued by the department which states that "a municipal council may, in exceptional circumstances and upon good cause shown, apply in writing to the MEC for extension of the three months period of an acting appointment for a further period not exceeding three months".
Baart announced in May that Ngcelwane had been "placed on precautionary suspension because of a preliminary investigation". She had to hold on to the reins while she waited for the department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs to deploy someone to replace Ngcelwane for the duration of the investigation.
