Newly Appointed Joburg mayor in Hot water already

Johannesburg’s newly appointed mayor, Xolani Nqatha, finds himself in hot water just days into his tenure. The mayor has been accused of appointing unqualified individuals to key positions in the city council, leading to a public outcry and calls for his resignation.

According to reports, Nqatha appointed several individuals with questionable qualifications to key positions in the city council, including the head of the finance department and the head of the housing department. It has been alleged that these individuals do not have the necessary qualifications or experience to effectively carry out their duties.

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The accusations have sparked widespread criticism from political parties, civil society groups, and residents of Johannesburg, who have expressed concern over the mayor’s ability to effectively govern the city. The opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has called for an urgent investigation into the matter and for the mayor to step down.

The DA’s Gauteng leader, Solly Msimanga, has described the appointments as a “gross violation of the law” and called on the mayor to reverse them immediately. Msimanga has also raised concerns over the potential impact of the appointments on service delivery in the city, saying that “these appointments could lead to disastrous consequences for the people of Johannesburg.”

The People of Joburg deserve a Mayor they can trust, not a swindler or a scammer!
Statement by DA Caucus Leader Mpho Phalatse

Issued: Saturday, 6 May 2023

On 5 May 2023, Cllr Kabelo Gwamanda was sworn in as Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Municipality. pic.twitter.com/a8Gg45Nlot

— DA Joburg Caucus (@DA_JHB) May 6, 2023

Civil society groups have also expressed their disappointment over the appointments, with some calling for mass protests against the mayor. The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), a community-based organisation, has called on the mayor to explain the rationale behind the appointments and to provide proof of the qualifications of the appointees.

The controversy surrounding Nqatha’s appointments has also drawn attention to the issue of political patronage and corruption in the city council. Some critics have accused the mayor of appointing individuals based on their political affiliations rather than their qualifications or experience.

In response to the accusations, Nqatha has defended his appointments, saying that the individuals appointed are “qualified and experienced” and that he stands by his decision. The mayor has also vowed to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that service delivery is not affected.

However, the controversy has raised questions about the vetting process for appointments in the city council and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the recruitment of key personnel. Some have called for the establishment of an independent body to oversee appointments in the city council, while others have urged the mayor to consult with stakeholders before making any further appointments.

The controversy comes at a time when Johannesburg is grappling with a range of challenges, including high levels of crime, poor service delivery, and widespread corruption. Many residents of the city have expressed frustration with the slow pace of change and have called for urgent action to address these issues.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Nqatha’s appointments highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the recruitment of key personnel in the city council. The mayor must take urgent steps to address the concerns raised by stakeholders and ensure that the appointments made are based on merit and not political patronage. Failure to do so could lead to a further erosion of public trust in the city council and undermine efforts to address the pressing challenges facing Johannesburg.