Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Fikile Xasa has not taken decisive action after receiving Councillor Paul Notyawa's file from Makana Municipality.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Fikile Xasa has not taken decisive action after receiving Councillor Paul Notyawa's file from Makana Municipality.
This is despite its being submitted to his office over a month ago, after Council endorsed Notyawa for the municipal manager's post.
Notyawa appears to be still in the running for the municipal manager's job, as his file is still under consideration in Xasa's office.
Notyawa was the front-runner in the contest for the key position, before he was allegedly ordered by senior ANC officials to step down.
Responding to questions from Grocott's Mail about the vacant post earlier this month, Administrator Pam Yako said they hadn't received any correspondence from Notyawa stating that he was withdrawing from contention for the municipal manager's position.
Yako said: "We have not received Mr Notyawa’s [notice of withdrawal]and therefore have submitted the file for the Municipal Manager’s position to the [Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs] MEC [Fikile Xasa] as required by law."
In a telephone conversation on 9 April, Xasa's spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam told Grocott's Mail that the matter was still under consideration.
"Can you please give us about two weeks, then contact us again," Ngam said. In a follow up email last Friday, Ngam said the process was still under way.
Ngam said Xasa had not signed the concurrence yet.
"The matter is still receiving attention," he said.
Notyawa, currently the head of Makana's Local Economic Development and Planning portfolio, was up against two candidates – Nceba Adonis and George Ngesi.
Ngesi is the former municipal manager of Ndlambe Municipality.
In a confidential meeting at the city hall on 12 March, the Makana Council resolved to recommend Notyawa as their preferred candidate for the position of municipal manager.
However, a day later, in another confidential meeting, Notyawa was told that the ANC would not work with someone linked to opposing organisations.
This is according to well-placed sources.
Notyawa was accused of having close ties with the newly formed United Front, led by former local ANC head Lungile Mxube.
In his response to questions about withdrawing his candidacy, Notyawa said the matter had been treated confidentially and he would like to keep it that way.
In a telephone interview with Grocott's Mail he said nothing had been communicated directly with him, adding that he was reading about the situation in the newspapers like everyone else.
"The ANC has offered its view on the matter but I wouldn't like to comment.
I would like to treat the matter confidentially and professionally," he said.
The ANC has denied forcing Notyawa to withdraw his candidacy for the municipal manager post.
Speaking to Grocott's Mail last month, ANC regional secretary Scara Njadayi said Notyawa had withdrawn of his own accord.
"Comrade Notyawa has written to the African National Congress and to the administrator advising that he was declining the nomination," Njadayi said at the time.
Notyawa has a B.Proc degree, LLB and a National Diploma in Education Law.
anele@grocotts.co.za
