eThekwini CFO defends spouse's cushy job with city

‘The employee is experienced and was appointed based on merit,’ says Mnguni

- Brian Sokutu

Family first: Dr Sandile Mnguni has refuted several other allegations levelled at him by his critics.

A week after enduring a barrage of questions from MPs, when appearing before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) - along with the entire eThekwini Municipality top brass - CFO Dr Sandile Mnguni has maintained that there was nothing sinister in his wife being employed by the city and serving on its Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC), recommending tenders to the accounting authority.

Mnguni said being hired on merit was central in his wife Slindile’s employment by the municipality - refuting several other allegations levelled at him by his critics.

Asked whether he submitted any conflict-of-interest declaration regarding Slindile’s employment and role, he said eThekwini’s recruitment and selection policy provided “guidance in this respect and does not allow for a direct supervision of relatives”.

“The CFO has never directly supervised the employee and was not involved in the recruitment process or approval of the appointment.

“The employee is experienced and was appointed based on merit and she reports to a deputy director in the Expenditure Directorate,” explained Mnguni.