ActionSA has formally written to the Public Protector following the City of Mbombela Executive Mayor, Cllr Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko’s, failure to provide a satisfactory and substantive response to serious allegations of political interference, nepotism, and irregularities in the municipality’s current recruitment of 300 general workers.
In our initial letter dated 13 May 2025, ActionSA raised credible concerns that predetermined candidate lists, allegedly favouring friends, partners, and associates of senior officials and politicians, were used in the shortlisting process. We demanded clarity on the recruitment criteria, the role of hiring managers, and what safeguards were in place to prevent undue influence. To date, none of these questions have been answered.
The Mayor’s response merely restates that the municipality follows its “approved recruitment and selection policy,” and mentions the presence of labour union observers. This evasive reply entirely sidesteps the specific allegations we raised and fails to provide any meaningful detail or assurance that these serious claims are being taken seriously or investigated.
Notably, the Mayor does not dispute the central allegation, that a preselected list of candidates was issued, nor does she provide any insight into whether those lists are being probed or invalidated. Instead, the reply appears to hide behind generic process compliance, while ignoring the reality that procedural boxes can still be ticked even in the presence of manipulation.
Merely asserting policy adherence does not amount to accountability. The people of Mbombela deserve answers, not boilerplate statements that deliberately avoid the crux of the issue. The fact that over 13,000 job applications were received makes this matter more urgent, given that thousands of unemployed residents could have been unfairly excluded in favour of politically connected insiders.
ActionSA finds this response wholly inadequate and indicative of a municipality unwilling to confront corruption within its ranks. For this reason, we have escalated the matter to the Office of the Public Protector to investigate whether this recruitment process has been compromised and to determine whether those responsible for any wrongdoing can be held accountable.
We remind the City of Mbombela that South Africans are tired of empty slogans about “responsive and caring government.” What the people want and deserve is a government that tells the truth, acts with integrity, and puts their interests first.
This is not just about one municipality, it’s about restoring integrity to public hiring processes across South Africa. ActionSA will continue to fight for fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment practices at every level of government.
South Africans deserve more than lip service, they deserve justice, dignity, and equal opportunity.
ActionSA Writes to Public Protector Following Mbombela Mayor’s Failure to Provide Adequate Responses on Alleged Dodgy Hiring Processes
ActionSA has formally written to the Public Protector following the City of Mbombela Executive Mayor, Cllr Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko’s, failure to provide a satisfactory and substantive response to serious allegations of political interference, nepotism, and irregularities in the municipality’s current recruitment of 300 general workers.
In our initial letter dated 13 May 2025, ActionSA raised credible concerns that predetermined candidate lists, allegedly favouring friends, partners, and associates of senior officials and politicians, were used in the shortlisting process. We demanded clarity on the recruitment criteria, the role of hiring managers, and what safeguards were in place to prevent undue influence. To date, none of these questions have been answered.
The Mayor’s response merely restates that the municipality follows its “approved recruitment and selection policy,” and mentions the presence of labour union observers. This evasive reply entirely sidesteps the specific allegations we raised and fails to provide any meaningful detail or assurance that these serious claims are being taken seriously or investigated.
Notably, the Mayor does not dispute the central allegation, that a preselected list of candidates was issued, nor does she provide any insight into whether those lists are being probed or invalidated. Instead, the reply appears to hide behind generic process compliance, while ignoring the reality that procedural boxes can still be ticked even in the presence of manipulation.
Merely asserting policy adherence does not amount to accountability. The people of Mbombela deserve answers, not boilerplate statements that deliberately avoid the crux of the issue. The fact that over 13,000 job applications were received makes this matter more urgent, given that thousands of unemployed residents could have been unfairly excluded in favour of politically connected insiders.
ActionSA finds this response wholly inadequate and indicative of a municipality unwilling to confront corruption within its ranks. For this reason, we have escalated the matter to the Office of the Public Protector to investigate whether this recruitment process has been compromised and to determine whether those responsible for any wrongdoing can be held accountable.
We remind the City of Mbombela that South Africans are tired of empty slogans about “responsive and caring government.” What the people want and deserve is a government that tells the truth, acts with integrity, and puts their interests first.
This is not just about one municipality, it’s about restoring integrity to public hiring processes across South Africa. ActionSA will continue to fight for fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment practices at every level of government.
South Africans deserve more than lip service, they deserve justice, dignity, and equal opportunity.