DURBAN - Following the collapse of the eThekwini executive committee meeting on Tuesday, mayor Mxolisi Kaunda is expected to table the name of the recommended candidate for the city manager's job on Thursday morning.
The mayor's spokesperson Mluleki Mntungwa confirmed that the exco meeting would take place on Thursday but could not divulge new items except to say the exco would finish matters that could not be completed because the meeting collapsed on Tuesday.
The Daily News understands that Ray Nkonyeni municipal manager Max Mbili is the one that the panel recommended. After the exco meeting Kaunda is expected to submit the candidate's name to the full council, which is scheduled to start around midday on Thursday.
Insiders say the mayor had hoped to table the name in the botched meeting. He had also called a media briefing to explain how the process went on today (Wednesday) but had to cancel it and reschedule for Tuesday.
In terms of the Municipal Systems Act the mayor must first inform the exco before the recommended candidate's name goes to the full council for approval.
It is not clear whether the ANC-led council would successfully hire the manager after the opposition voiced their displeasure at how the process was conducted, claiming that there was political interference.
It was also reported that even the smaller parties that helped the ANC to retain power were not happy with not being consulted. ANC regional task team co-ordinator Bheki Ntuli said his party was in discussions with its partners for all the matters including the appointment of the municipal public accounts committee chairperson position, which was left vacant after ActionSA fired Dr Makhosi Khoza last week.
Daily News