National Treasury steps in over 'interference' in procedures in Nelson Mandela Bay
6 September 2018
National Treasury's chief director for local government analysis on Wednesday requested an "explanation of alleged interference in supply chain management procedures" from the Nelson Mandela Bay city manager.
This comes after The Herald reported that at least two senior managers had on Monday been instructed by their political heads to "put on hold the filling of vacancies and tenders".
According to the report, the Municipal Finance Management Act forbids interference in tenders due to it being an administrative function which falls under the city manager, while municipal law prohibits political involvement in the recruitment process "unless a decision is taken by the full council in the case of senior managers".
The Herald reported that a memorandum was sent to senior staff in which it is said that Mayor Mongameli Bobani requested that a moratorium be placed on all vacancies and tenders in one of the municipal directorates.