After almost seven months on the job Makana Municipal Manager Pravine Naidoo is yet to sign a job contract or performance agreement – even though this doesn't comply with laws set out in the Municipal Systems Act.
After almost seven months on the job Makana Municipal Manager Pravine Naidoo is yet to sign a job contract or performance agreement – even though this doesn't comply with laws set out in the Municipal Systems Act.
Section 57 of the Act clearly states that a performance agreement of a municipal manager must "be concluded within a reasonable time after a person has been appointed as the municipal manager… and thereafter, within one month after the beginning of the financial year of the municipality".
Three months have passed since the current financial year started at the beginning of July.
Regarding employment contracts for municipal managers the section further states: "A person to be appointed as the municipal manager of a municipality… may be appointed to that position only – (a) in terms of a written employment contract with the municipality complying with the provisions of this section; and (b) subject to a separate performance agreement concluded annually…"
When Grocott's Mail pressed Municipal Spokesperson Mncedisi Boma for a response he acknowledged that the municipality was not complying with legislation.
He also confirmed that Naidoo has not yet signed either an employment contract nor a performance agreement.
"There is need for a council meeting in order to finalise the contract," he said, "but I cannot go into details about the item because it is confidential."
Boma added that Naidoo was busy finalising the performance agreements of directors who have also not signed them since the beginning of this financial year.
Grocott's Mail sent two emails to Boma last month requesting information about a litigation case that Naidoo is pursuing against the municipality. We are yet to receive a response.
