The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Mpumalanga are calling for a province-wide skills audit after a major controversy surrounding the appointment of Zwelo Masilela, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Treasurer General, as a senior researcher in the Mbombela Municipality. It has emerged that Masilela held the position for five years despite having no qualifications beyond a matric certificate.
This revelation has ignited widespread outrage across political parties and the public, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the hiring process in local government. The EFF has since filed a formal complaint with the Public Protector, urging an investigation into how Masilela was appointed to such a high-ranking position without the required qualifications.
EFF Demands Accountability and Transparency
The EFF’s Mpumalanga Provincial Secretary, Jackson Malatji, emphasized the need for a thorough skills audit across all municipalities in the province. Malatji, in an interview with SABC, stated: “We are calling for a skills audit in all the municipalities in Mpumalanga, especially in Mbombela where we have employees that do not meet the required qualifications.”
The issue gained further attention when, during a parliamentary interview on February 26, Masilela himself admitted that he did not have any post-matric qualifications during his tenure as a senior researcher. This admission has raised questions about potential violations of the Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000, which requires municipalities to employ qualified individuals in their respective roles.
Malatji suggested that Masilela’s case was not an isolated incident and pointed to previous concerns raised by the EFF regarding the appointment of the Municipality’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Last year, the party highlighted the case of the CFO, who was found to have falsified his qualifications, leading to his suspension.
“This overall problem in Mpumalanga municipalities is alarming. We previously raised the issue of the CFO, who also did not have post-matric qualifications but was employed in the same municipality,” Malatji stated, underscoring the systemic nature of the problem.
In response to the controversy, the Mbombela Municipality’s City Manager, Wiseman Khumalo, affirmed that the local government was willing to cooperate fully with all law enforcement authorities and the Public Protector’s office. “We have noted that the matter has been referred to the Public Protector and other law enforcement agencies, and we are committed to fully cooperating with any investigations,” Khumalo said in a statement.
Meanwhile, ANCYL President Collen Malatji has defended Masilela, claiming that the appointment was not the young leader’s fault. Malatji emphasized that it was the responsibility of the municipality to vet candidates properly and that Masilela should not be blamed for being appointed to the position.
As the EFF pushes for accountability and transparency, the scandal surrounding Masilela’s appointment has shone a spotlight on possible weaknesses in municipal hiring processes in Mpumalanga. With the issue now under investigation, the calls for a province-wide skills audit and a review of the integrity of municipal appointments are gaining momentum. The ongoing investigation may pave the way for broader reforms in how local government officials are hired and held accountable for their qualifications and conduct.
