The Mangaung Metro Municipality has refuted claims that a senior official was appointed without following due process.

The ailing metro is accused of unlawfully hiring Masithela Phandliwe as assistant superintendent in the municipality’s traffic department. 

Phandliwe was allegedly suspended at Lengau Testing Centre for spreading wrong information and resigned before his hearing could be finalised. Phandliwe reportedly resigned from Lengau because he had already been appointed at Manguang, despite the post allegedly not being advertised.

Municipal spokesperson Qondile Khedama told OFM News the metro was aware Phandliwe had resigned from the previous department but was not privy to personal information. 

He added Mangaung had its own policies and procedures to be followed during the recruitment, selection and appointment process. The resignation details of the employee were not relevant to its process.

Reports indicate Phandliwe championed a programme resulting in the impoundment of several cars for violations of parking and other laws. However, he has been accused of overstepping his authority by even impounding cars with owners inside, instead of issuing fines.

Khedama said the enforcement of traffic laws solely lies with uniformed traffic officers who have undergone training.

OFM News