In yet another bizarre and brazen case of alleged political interference, a councillor of the ANC in the Port St Johns Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape has asked her party to intervene to ensure their preferred candidates get a top position.

Councillor Khanyisa Bikiza wrote to Vinny Tsitsa, the regional secretary of the ANC in the OR Tambo region to ensure that either Nomvuzo Noxaka or Andile Bara gets appointed.

Bikiza, who is the head of the portfolio for corporate services, wanted one of the two in the position on the basis that they hail from Port St Johns, and wanted to give them a chance to occupy the position, as that is the mandate of the ANC.

However, the party’s wish was scuppered by an official from the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), identified only as Mr Mdinile. Mdinile, part of the interview panel, said the candidates do not qualify for the crucial position.

Bikiza claimed in the letter to Tsitsa that Mdinile dismissed Noxaka as not suitably qualified, even though she works as the deputy director for human resources at COGTA in the Eastern Cape. Mdinile further dismissed Bara as unqualified, despite him currently acting in the same role.

The interviews were held in March, and Mdinile, whom Bikiza accused of behaving as though his voice was final, logged in virtually. After a short break, he did not return, derailing the entire process. It was then agreed that the position should be re-advertised.

Hence, Bikiza wants the ANC to intervene to secure their preferred candidates.

“I therefore request that your office (Tsitsa’s office) to intervene on this process and the post be re-advertised as agreed on the meeting (sic),” Bikiza pleaded in the letter.

Tsitsa did not respond when The African Times asked why the ANC appears to be interfering in the municipality’s recruitment processes.