Public Protector flags irregular appointment of elderly Municipal Manager

An investigation has revealed that the Ubuntu Municipality irregularly employed a man over 65 years old as municipal manager, without following the recruitment process.

The Public Protector finalised 786 investigations in the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year. Most of these investigations, 638, related to service delivery complaints.

Among the last quarter’s investigations, the Public Protector probed the appointment of Santu Samuel Ngwevu as municipal manager of Ubuntu Municipality.

“Mr Ngwevu, who was over the retirement age of 65, was appointed without following the prescribed recruitment process,” the Public Protector found, ruling the appointment “irregular”.

Against protocol for new hires, the municipality did not publicly advertise the position and did not obtain the approval of the MEC or the Minister.

The council further violated regulations by making the appointment effective immediately, rather than following the required timeline.

“The Public Protector concluded that the conduct of the council constituted maladministration and improper conduct,” the Public Protector said.

The Public Protector recommended remedial action for the municipality and has instructed the Northern Cape Premier and the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs to submit plans to ensure such an appointment does not happen again.

It was further recommended that councillors receive training to avoid future recurrences of improper conduct and maladministration.

According to the Municipal Systems Act, the council is required to advertise a senior municipal position in local media within 14 days after the recruitment process is approved by the council.

Applications should then remain open for at least 14 and up to 30 days. A selection panel of at least three members must then be appointed to evaluate candidates.

The process is supposed to follow strict timelines, with shortlisting of candidates taking place 30 days after advertising, vetting taking place 21 days after shortlisting, and interviews taking place over the next 21 days.

A senior manager is also required by law to retire the month after their 65th birthday. The council can make exceptions for those over the retirement age with scarce skills necessary for effective service delivery.