The newly appointed municipal manager of Siyathemba Municipality, Thomas van Staden, has not been able to start his new job, as he has to serve out his 30-day notice period after resigning as the human resources chief director at the Northern Cape Department of Education.
THE NEWLY appointed municipal manager of Siyathemba Municipality, Thomas van Staden, has not been able to start his new job, as he has to serve out his 30-day notice period after resigning as the human resources chief director at the Northern Cape Department of Education.
The director of corporate services, Mazondi Kubeka, was appointed as the acting municipal manager from September 18 to 30.
According to media reports, Kubeka allegedly failed to pay funds over to the South African Municipal Workers National Provident Fund amounting to close to R80 million in 2018 while he was employed at Kopanong Municipality in the Free State.
Siyathemba mayor Xolile Phillips explained that Van Staden had initially handed in his 24-hour notice of resignation from the Department of Education.
His new appointment at the municipality was approved by the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs on September 4.
Van Staden meanwhile appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week where is facing a charge of sexual assault.
Phillips stated that Van Staden would assume his duties as the Siyathemba municipal manager from October 1.
“He requested to be released from his duties as he is sitting at home. However, the MEC for the Department of Education did not accept the 24-hour notice resignation and indicated that Van Staden should serve out his full notice period.“
He added that Van Staden would only be placed on the municipal payroll from next month.
Phillips indicated that Kubeka passed all vetting processes when he was appointed at the municipality.
“He was appointed to serve as the acting municipal manager until Van Staden is available to take up his position. Likewise, if the municipal manager is incapacitated, the corporate services manager will stand in for him.”
He said they were not aware of any pending cases against Kubeka.
“We cannot act on rumours or media reports in the absence of hard evidence,” Phillips added.
