DA Objects To Sihlahla’s Appointment As Enoch Mgijima Municipal Manager

The appointment of Andile Sihlahla as the municipal manager of Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, is causing a major political row due to his record as city manager of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

While the United Democratic Movement welcomed Sihlahla in the top job, the DA is demanding a formal investigation into his appointment.

Sihlahla was appointed during a virtual council meeting last week. The DA formally opposed the appointment in council and have now written to Executive Mayor Madoda Papiyana to amplify their complaint.

In a statement released on Friday, the DA caucus leader, Cllr Lindy Haggard said council was not given sufficient evidence to properly assess the appointment.

The party is calling for a Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) investigation into whether recruitment and selection processes were followed, whether background and due-diligence checks were done, and whether Sihlahla’s previous record at Buffalo City was considered.

During his time at Buffalo City, Sihlahla faced a procurement tender-deviation scandal that led to an MPAC investigation, and in 2020 he was linked to alleged Covid-19 funding scandals. The DA stresses that its concerns “do not constitute an allegation of criminal wrongdoing” but are about transparency and compliance.

“The municipality cannot afford an appointment process where councillors are expected to make a decision without being provided with adequate information,” Haggard said.

The UDM has taken a different stance. UDM Councillor Mthuthuzeli Hokolo said his party was the first to welcome Sihlahla, citing his experience, but warned that he must be allowed to work without political interference.

“We said he can work better if he is not remote-controlled. We know that he is hired during electioneering and it will make us worried if he could be made a scapegoat,” Hokolo said.

The National Cabinet instituted a national intervention at the Enoch Mgijima in April 2022 in terms of section 139 (7) of the constitution citing the local government institution's inability to meet its financial commitments resulting in its inability to provide services to the community. The municipality still owes the power utility Eskom R2.14 billion.

Its acting municipal manager’s term lapsed on 30 September resulting in the vacuum that Sihlahla's appointment will hopefully address.