Analysts have questioned the local government system of allowing municipal officials to serve as councillors and said amounted to conflict of interest.
But a municipal union differed with analysts and said it backs the existing law for public servants to stand as candidates.
South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) general secretary Mthandeki Nhlapo said there was no harm in local government employees being elected into political office.
“We have found no major problems with the regulations. Some of the issues contained (in the regulations) do talk to our similar position,” said Nhlapo.
Adam Habib of the University of Johannesburg and Susan Booysen of Wits University said that once elected as councillors, municipal employees should resign their positions.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs briefed a National Council of Provinces select committee on the regulations of municipal staff members as candidates in the polls.
The regulations allow municipal officials to contest elections and resume their positions as administrators after the polls-whether they are voted into office or not.
Habib said during President Jacob Zuma was correct that the political and administrative lines were blurred when officials wear two hats.
“The separation of powers should be considered seriously. The question is how do you do it?” asked Habib, adding that it would be unconstitutional to prevent local council employees to stand as candidates.
“I think they must make a choice, but we can’t force them to resign (as public servants). They can’t do both…that is absolutely crucial,” he said.
Booysen said the regulations were not helpful because once becoming councillors these officials carry a lot of political clout.
“We would have to see what their level of performance is if they are both (officials and councillors).”
“Councillors and bureaucrats abuse their positions…on decisions of procurement. The potential for a clash of interest is spectacularly high,” she said.
“We see people who are senior in the ANC, but occupy junior positions in municipalities. There are confusing lines of authority,” added Booysen.
To maintain integrity at local government officials should take “moral” decisions and not to go for both positions, Booysen argued.
She added that it was not in the interest of communities for municipal employees to work as councillors.
Published in Business Report: 2010-07-30