The DA in Bethlehem has announced that it will formally write to Executive Mayor Tseki Tseki and Municipal Manager Mohau Ntheli of the Dihlabeng Municipality, calling for the immediate adoption of the existing staff structure to facilitate critical appointments and restore effective service delivery.
According to Hilton Maasdorp, DA councillor, the ongoing political indecision and what is being described as weak administrative leadership have contributed to a growing staffing crisis within the municipality.
The DA maintains that although no new staff structure has been approved by council, the current structure remains in place and should be formally adopted to allow urgent vacancies to be filled. It says repeated calls for this step have not been acted upon.
Ntheli has reportedly indicated that appointments could not proceed because the staff structure had lapsed. However, the DA disputes this position, arguing that it is based on misleading information previously presented to council, which has led to what it terms “administrative paralysis”.
The party claims the impact of the impasse is already evident across key departments. It cites more than 60 vacancies in the infrastructure department and over 50 in community services. The DA further alleges that certain critical posts are being filled by inexperienced or insufficiently qualified personnel, while high levels of overtime are placing strain on staff and municipal finances. It also raises concern that temporary and acting appointments have in some instances extended beyond a year, which it says is contrary to staff regulations.
Maasdorp says the DA has warned that without a lawful and functional staff structure, service delivery in Dihlabeng will continue to deteriorate. It argues that unfilled key positions delay infrastructure projects, increase maintenance backlogs, and negatively affect the provision of basic services to residents.
