The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in the Ekurhuleni Metro Council took a strong stand against a proposed retrospective adjustment to conditions of service for municipal and senior managers (Section 56 managers). Sustained pressure from the Freedom Front Plus ultimately resulted in the item being rejected.
In terms of the Municipal Systems Amendment Act (2022), senior managers who report directly to the municipal manager will henceforth be appointed on a permanent basis.
This amends the previous system of five-year fixed-term contracts with the aim of promoting greater administrative continuity and reducing political interference.
The Freedom Front Plus is adamant that existing five-year fixed-term contracts must not be retrospectively converted to permanent appointments. These posts were lawfully advertised and accepted as fixed-term agreements.
Any attempt to unilaterally change this raises serious concerns about fairness, sound management and legal certainty.
In addition, there exists no clear legislative basis for the automatic and immediate conversion of existing fixed-term contracts to permanent appointments.
The current agreements are legally binding and should be honoured to allow employees to complete their agreed-upon contracted terms.
Eers nadat hierdie termyn verstryk het, kan die betrokke poste as vaste betrekkings geadverteer en gevul word in volle ooreenstemming met die nuwe wetlike vereistes en sonder om regsekerheid te ondermyn.
Thorough performance evaluation and accountability should remain central to the permanent appointment of all senior managers.
The Freedom Front Plus remains committed to transparent, lawful governance. It is in the best interest of both the Metro and its employees to ensure that appointments are based on merit and comply with the correct legal procedures, without compromising the integrity of municipal processes.
