Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Legislature
3 March 1998
The Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature, Mr Trevor Fowler, on Tuesday strongly rebutted allegations by the National Party that Mr Vusi Mavuso's appointment as Gauteng Public Service Commissioner represented a conflict of interest.
The NP yesterday announced it would move to have Mr Mavuso's appointment vetoed due to the fact that he allegedly held two senior political offices even thought the advertisement for the post stated that candidates holding political portfolios would not be considered.
However, Mr Fowler strongly denied this.
"Mr Mavuso was nominated by three members of the Provincial Service Commission. The Legislature, which has to run the process in terms of Sectin 196 of Suth Afica's Constitution, then informed Mr Mavuso of his nomination. "He then informed us on February 16 that he had accepted nomination and had immediately recused himself from the Public Participation and Petitions Committee, which had to oversee the selection process."
Mr Fowler said another person was elected to chair the sub-committee that had to shortlist and interview candidates.
"In terms of the Constitution, the committee has to be proportionally composed of members of all political parties. The fact is that the National Party was also on that committee," said Mr Fowler.
The committee then interviewed candidates and Mr Mavuso's name was put forward to the Gauteng Legislature for approval.
The House then overwhelmingly confirmed him last Thursday.
"In light of all this and the fact that the National Party was part of the process, I find it amazing that the NP can now accuse me of erring by allowing the debate to proceed.
"We have satisfied every aspect of the Constitution," Mr Fowler retorted to the NP charges.
Contact: David Montse: 011-498-5521