The Sinthumule/Kutama Concerned Group (SKCG) has defended the Makhado Municipality against allegations made by the Zoutpansberg Community Development Forum (ZCDF) that the municipality is guilty of nepotism in its hiring practices.
The ZCDF accused the mayor, top officials, councillors, municipal manager, and SAMWU members in the Makhado Municipality of favouring friends and family members in filling approximately 40 vacant positions, which started on 3 July this year.
The chairperson of the ZDCF, Mr. Patrick Sikhutshi, stated that political appointments should be stopped and that employment should be based on merit rather than party affiliation. Sikhutshi highlighted nepotism as one of the main reasons for the municipality's dysfunctionality. He expressed frustration with corruption and nepotism within the municipality, emphasising the need for workers to be employed according to their qualifications and not through favouritism.
According to Sikhutshi, the allegations of nepotism in the Makhado Municipality have been reported to the Public Service Commission, the Premier, and the South African President, who are currently addressing the matter.
The chairperson of the SKCG, Mr. Elijah Liremi, accused Sikhutshi of misleading the community because of his personal political ambitions. Liremi claimed that Sikhutshi had not made any positive contributions to the community during his time as mayor and member of parliament. Liremi further stated that his organisation had met with the municipality and found that proper procedures had been followed in the staff appointments. He accused Sikhutshi of inciting the community to rebel against employment opportunities within the municipality without the community's being aware of Sikhutshi's true agenda.
Liremi warned the ZCDF that if they decided to march against the municipality, his organisation would be present to protect the municipality. He expressed his intention to mobilise young people to defend the municipality against the ZCDF, whom he accused of being obsessed with the municipality. He asserted that physical confrontations between the two groups, in defence of the municipality, might occur.