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The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Andries Nel, MP, welcomed the appointment of Mr Thembekile Kimi Makwetu as the new Auditor General with effect from 1 December 2013.
 
“We look forward to working closely with the new Auditor General, Mr Kimi Makwetu, and building on the excellent working relationship we enjoyed with his predecessor, Mr Terence Nombembe, in our quest to assist more municipalities to achieve sound financial management and unqualified audit outcomes.”

Nel said that in addition to measures already taken by the Department to support municipalities, regulations would soon be promulgated by Minister Lechesa Tsenoli in terms of the Municipal Systems Amendment Act to address weaknesses in recruitment, management and human resources in line with recommendations in the National Development Plan aimed at building a capable and developmental state.

“These regulations reflect government’s resolve to professionalise local public administration. There is undeniable evidence that having the right skills is critical to municipal effectiveness. The Regulations set enforceable competence standards for senior managers, and are a direct response to challenges arising from cases, in some municipalities, where persons are employed without the relevant skills, expertise and qualifications.

“The use of a competency-based approach in recruiting senior managers in particular, will result in reduced turnover and increased performance of both senior managers and their teams.

Nel pointed out that the regulations also provide that staff members dismissed for certain categories of serious misconduct cannot be re-employed anywhere in local government for a period ranging from 5 to 12 years. The Department is developing an on-line database case-management system that will require municipalities to load cases of misconduct. The Regulations will make it mandatory for all municipalities to clear all appointments with this database before any appointments are finalized.