Deployment of cadres cause corruption, fraud and incompetence in local governments
AfriForum has reacted strongly to the statements by ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe that the ANC will not cease its practice of cadre deployment. Mr Mantashe's statement is an attack on the Constitution and contradictory to an Eastern Cape High Court verdict in which the court set aside a cadre appointment. The judge in the case expressed his dissatisfaction strongly:
"...the first respondent (municipality) has demonstrated a lamentable abdication of its responsibilities by succumbing to a political directive from an external body (ANC), regardless of the merits of the matter"
Mr Mantashe's assurance that expertise will not be sacrificed in the process constitutes a blatant disregard for what is happening at local government level. The 2011/2012 consolidated report on municipal audits showed that 78% of municipal managers, 82% of executive financial officers and 86% of supply chain managers do not have the prescribed qualifications.
"Political loyalty is more important than ability, and this causes concern. We see municipal managers and councils taking illegal decisions every day, taking orders from the ANC to do so," said Pieter Rautenbach, Head of Local Government Affairs at AfriForum.
AfriForum has opened cases against municipal managers and mayors of the Cederberg, Oudtshoorn and Mogalakwena (Potgietersrus) Municipalities. In the case of the latter a senior official was redeployed at the same Municipality after being found guilty of 26 charges of mismanagement, corruption and fraud. The district manager of the ANC in the Waterberg instructed the mayor and the speaker to reappoint the same person and threatened them with disciplinary action should they refuse.
Rautenbach added that AfriForum will use its branch structures to monitor appointments and cadre deployment.
Statement issued by Pieter Rautenbach, Head: Local Government Affairs, June 11 2014
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