SDM thwarts irregular appointment allegations in its supply chain management

GROBLERSDAL – Sekhukhune District Municipality denounced DA Sekhukhune’s calls that an independent audit of tenders awarded was needed at the district municipality following an alleged irregular appointment of Acting Supply Chain Management.

Moloko Moloto, SDM Spokesperson, said that at the time, the manager for supply chain management was placed on suspension and the only eligible official to act in the position in the unit was about to go on maternity leave in a matter of days.

Moloto said the municipality was confronted with a difficult choice of appointing someone who was on the next level from other units but had no knowledge of supply chain management or appoint an official who had many years of experience and in-depth knowledge of that important function. The municipality chose to err on the side of caution and appointed the latter.

He said that leaving the position vacant would have negatively affected and delayed operations and service delivery, unpalatable situation no responsible management would opt for.

“This particular official has done a sterling work during the time she acted in the position. It must be noted that as acting manager and while she sits in bid adjudication committee which is chaired by the chief financial officer, the acting manager has no unilateral power to make appointments of bidders. The appointment of service providers is done by the municipal manager as the accounting officer after satisfying herself with the process which had been followed by several municipal officials at various stages,” concluded Moloto