The Ekurhuleni Municipality is facing a storm of controversy over the appointment of Phakamile Mbengashe as Divisional Head of Communications and Media, amid serious allegations about his qualifications.

This came to light as one of the candidates served the municipality with a legal letter from Leslie Sedibe's attorneys seeking to set aside Mbengashe's appointment as Divisional Head of Communications and Media.

The applicant’s letter, whose name is known to The Star, sought to review the decisions of the pre-selection panel and the interview panel in that it took into account irrelevant considerations and/or failed to take into account relevant considerations such as the qualifications the applicant held.

“The selection panel completely ignored our client’s colourful and illustrious career which inter alia includes the following achievements. Our client has an uninterrupted 29-year period of service in national, provincial, and local government, occupying strategic and senior management positions advising on communication programs of government,” the letter read.

According to a source, Mbengashe's appointment is believed to have been propelled by senior politicians and officials who allegedly disregarded the need for an adequately qualified candidate.

“This guy (Mbengashe) is being pushed by some senior politicians and some officials in the city, and they are doing this despite knowing that he doesn’t qualify,” the source disclosed.

This shadowy influence has sparked outrage among staff members, who feel betrayed by the lack of transparency in the recruitment process.

Initially appointed as the mayor’s spokesperson, Mbengashe purportedly ascended to the role of Senior Manager, Media Relations, within the Communications and Brand Management Department in July 2022 without a competitive recruitment process or the knowledge of his team.

This bypass of standard protocol created friction, particularly after Senior Media Officer Nqobile Mchunu’s claim to an acting position was dismissed, with HR citing that Mbengashe had already filled the role.

According to sources, Mchunu was acting in the Senior Manager position for three months before his allowance was revoked, indicating the irregularity of Mbengashe’s appointment.

Compounding matters, Mbengashe’s CV claims experience as the mayoral spokesperson from September 2018 to January 2022, a role that allegedly does not exist within the official structure of the Mayor’s office.

What’s particularly alarming is that, in addition to his communications role, Mbengashe was short-listed for the position of acting Head of Department for Environmental Resources and Waste Management, a field in which he reportedly lacks any qualifications or experience, as stipulated by law.

This was despite the presence of other qualified Divisional Heads within the department who were more than capable of stepping up.

Insiders have expressed concern regarding the municipality's failure to perform due diligence in verifying Mbengashe’s claimed qualifications, suggesting a gross oversight that undermines the integrity of public service recruitment.

To clarify doubts surrounding his qualifications, inquiries were directed to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Annemarie Janse Van Rensburg, Senior Manager for Authentication Services at SAQA, confirmed that while the agency could verify qualifications, this is contingent upon consent from the qualification holder, adhering to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

“Please note that SAQA can only verify a qualification and make information available through the consent of the qualification holder,” she stated.

Despite repeated attempts to elicit a response from both Mbengashe and the Ekurhuleni Municipality regarding these serious allegations, neither party has replied within the past weeks, leaving staff and the public waiting for accountability.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za