PLETTENBERG BAY - The appointment of Christopher Mapeyi as Bitou's new director of financial services has again been steeped in controversy.

The Ratepayers Alliance, a group of 30 associations throughout the Southern Cape, has informed Western Cape's local government minister Anton Bredell and the DA's top structure of the 'unacceptable appointment' of Mapeyi on a permanent basis with effect from 1 June.

"We strongly condemn the continued use and abuse of the salary waiver mechanism," said the Alliance. "Cogta-determined salaries are fair and market-related. The waiver system - originally designed to help under-resourced municipalities attract talent - has now been co-opted to justify unjustifiable salary increases in attractive and well-resourced areas like the Garden Route. This abuse not only strains municipal budgets, but also triggers cascading increases for municipal managers and other directors."

Discussion
In a special council meeting on Monday 9 June, during which the only agenda item was Mapeyi's appointment, the councillors welcomed him to his new post.

There was much discussion around Bredell's letter approving his appointment at the lower end of the prescribed limits of R965 958, while a remuneration package at the upper limit of R1 224 083, "which is within the statutory limitation," was negotiated with him by Municipal Manager Mbulelo Memani.

This was done in accordance with a council resolution in March that delegated the authority for Memani to negotiate with Mapeyi.

Package
The council 'took note' of Bredell's letter, but approved the recommendations of the acting municipal manager, Luvuyo Loliwe, to appoint Mapeyi.

Loliwe noted that Bredell's letter "comes after the council resolution, which has mandated Memani to conclude a remuneration package of Mr Mapeyi".

Memani did this and concluded a remuneration package of R1 224 083, "which is within the statutory limitation".

A copy of the signed employment contract will be sent to Bredell, "as prescribed by the legislation".

The Plettenberg Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association has questioned his appointment on this remuneration package, while the Western Cape's minister of local government only approved a package of R965 958.

The ratepayers pointed out that Mapeyi's package was made on a permanent basis and not the normal five-year contract.

Financial implications
"So rather than wait for Bredell to respond, or perhaps after Bredell had responded, Memani went ahead and obtained a signed contract with Mapeyi at the higher salary level," said the ratepayers.

"The financial implication on Bitou is significant. R270 000 per annum, for his entire tenure, with raises based on the maximum figure. The financial impact on ratepayers of Memani's action, his non-compliance with the minister's ruling and the unacceptability of 'permanent' appointments has put Bitou at risk of being sued over a breach of the contract, and if so, Memani should be personally liable for the damages," said the ratepayers association.

Empasis on 'may'
Much emphasis was placed on Bredell's wording in his letter that recommended that council 'may' offer Mapeyi a total annual remuneration package of R965 958.

"However, this letter comes after the Council resolution C/1/312/03/25, which has mandated the municipal manager to conclude remuneration package of Mr Mapeyi, which indeed the municipal manager has concluded and agreed to a remuneration package of R1 224 083, which is within the statutory limitation," said Loliwe in his recommendation.

He also recommended that a copy of the signed employment contract be submitted to Bredell's office, as prescribed by the legislation.

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