Municipality faces scrutiny over alleged 'favouritism' claims

MEMBERS of the National Standing Committee of Public Accounts (Scopa) grilled the eThekwini Municipality over allegations of favouritism in the treatment of some of its workers, including defending an employee accused of serious allegations of corruption.

- THAMI MAGUBANE

The committee members pressed the city on two allegations: that it had changed a job description in order to appoint an employee who was not qualified for the post, and that the city had issued a statement defending one of its senior managers who has been under fire on social media, facing allegations that he is building a mansion in the rural areas with kickbacks from contractors. The city stated that the two staff members in question were unfairly targeted, largely by disgruntled former city employees.

The leaders of the eThekwini Metro appeared before Scopa last week, including City Manager Musa Mbhele, Mayor Cyril Xaba, and other top officials where they were engaged by the committee, which was made of members of Scopa and Cogta portfolio committees.