Local Economic Development director Riana Meiring will return to act in the position of municipal manager after the expiry of the contract of Mandisi Planga on 15 December.
Local Economic Development director Riana Meiring will return to act in the position of municipal manager after the expiry of the contract of Mandisi Planga on 15 December.
Planga replaced Meiring as the acting municipal manager in September after the latter had acted in the position for more than a year. Three months later Meiring is back in the position.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the decision. DA caucus leader Mlindi Nhanha said the DA in Makana feels vindicated that finally sanity has prevailed.
“We hope Ms Meiring will be afforded time and space to continue the good work of Mr Planga until a suitable person to fill the vacancy of a [permanent municipal manager]MM is found,” he said.
Nhanha said if the municipality is to be stable, there has to be some degree of certainty at the top of its administration. “We cannot afford to chop and change for the sake of doing so.
“This does not only put us in a bad light but has a devastating effect on the work force.”
Nhanha said the DA would place on record its sincere appreciation for the sterling work Planga has done in a short space of time.
“Unfortunately, some used his appointment as a means to spite and pursue a racist agenda against Ms Meiring,” he said.
The position of a permanent municipal manager has been advertised. Grocott’s Mail understands that Meiring has applied for the much sought-after position.
Municipal spokesperson Yoliswa Ramokolo confirmed that Meiring had been appointed to act in the position from 16 December.
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