Kennedy ChihotaSpread This NewsCentralNewsZAPolokwane Mayor John Mpe defends merit-based appointment of Zimbabwean engineer Kennedy Chihota amid public backlash, insisting the decision prioritises skills to tackle water challenges rather than politics or nationality.In a media briefing held at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Thursday, Mayor John Mpe addressed growing criticism over the recent council approval of Kennedy Chihota, a Zimbabwean national, as the new Director of Water and Sanitation at Polokwane Municipality. Mpe stressed that the choice was driven by Chihota’s strong qualifications and experience, which he believes will help fix long-standing water shortages and infrastructure issues in the city.“Chihota is a professionally registered engineer (ECSA) and holds: a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering (University of Zimbabwe),” Mpe said, highlighting the engineer’s academic background. He added that Chihota also has “Four Master’s Degrees in: Water Resources Engineering & Management (University of Zimbabwe), Business Administration (University of Zimbabwe), Property Development (University of the Witwatersrand), and Engineering (University of Stellenbosch).”This defence comes after widespread public outcry on social media and in local communities, where some residents accused the municipality of favouring foreign nationals over South Africans amid high unemployment rates.
The appointment has sparked debates about job opportunities for locals, especially in a province like Limpopo where water access remains a daily struggle for many.Chihota’s Qualifications and Experience Under the SpotlightMpe went into detail about why Chihota stood out during the selection process. He described the new director as a seasoned professional with over 20 years in water systems management, mostly in South African municipalities. “He brings experience from: University of Limpopo (Senior Lecturer), Capricorn District Municipality (PMU Manager, Water Services Manager, and Senior Manager for Infrastructure), City of Cape Town, Johannesburg Water, and City of Ekurhuleni, Managing Director at Ekurhuleni Water Care Company,” the mayor explained.
Mpe made it clear that with such a track record, the municipality is “not experimenting but executing” on its plans to improve services.Chihota’s role is seen as key in dealing with Polokwane’s water backlogs, which have left some areas without reliable supply for years. The city has faced ongoing problems like ageing pipes, leaks, and unequal distribution, made worse by rapid urban growth. Residents in townships often rely on communal taps or tankers, while rural parts battle droughts.
Mpe argued that Chihota’s expertise in water resources and infrastructure will speed up fixes, including upgrades to dams, treatment plants, and distribution networks. Supporters on social media have echoed this, with one user praising him as a “seasoned engineer who has spent 20 years serving mostly municipality water systems,” hoping for flowing taps of clean water.However, critics question if local talent was overlooked. Opposition parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Democratic Alliance (DA) have called for transparency in the hiring process, pointing to thousands of unemployed South African engineers.
They argue that while merit matters, the government should prioritise citizens in public jobs to fight poverty and build skills at home.Backlash Linked to Broader Allegations of FavouritismThe controversy around Chihota’s appointment has been fuelled by recent claims that Polokwane Municipality awards tenders to foreign nationals, which Mpe confirmed but defended as merit-based. Just days before, explosive allegations surfaced about a R56 million tender for water infrastructure reportedly given to a company owned by the municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni’s alleged Zimbabwean boyfriend. The deal, worth R56,309,901.35, involved supply and maintenance work, but opposition groups labelled it as nepotism and corruption.
Mpe has denied any wrongdoing, calling the claims a “smear campaign” aimed at damaging the municipality’s image.Investigations into the tender are underway, with calls for the Hawks and Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to step in. Documents leaked to the media showed the contract bypassed some procurement rules, raising red flags about fairness. This is not the first time Polokwane has faced such scrutiny; past scandals include a bus contract where vehicles were paid for but never delivered, and warnings from the Auditor-General about poor financial controls during former mayor Thembi Simelane’s time.
In 2020, a municipal manager was arrested by the Hawks for fraud in tender awards, showing a pattern of issues in the city’s administration.Social media has been ablaze with mixed views. Some posts slam the hire as spitting “on the faces of voters,” with one user noting qualified South African youth are overlooked while foreigners get top posts. Others defend it, saying, “Zimbabweans are doing great and serving our communities well.” The backlash has hints of xenophobia, with calls to “put South Africans first” amid economic hardships.
Community groups worry this could strain relations with migrant workers who contribute to Limpopo’s economy in farming and services.New Chief Operations Officer Appointed to Strengthen LeadershipIn the same council meeting, Polokwane also named Babalwa Mosomane as the new Chief Operations Officer (COO), a move Mpe hailed as another step to boost efficiency. Mosomane brings a wealth of auditing and management skills to the role. She holds Postgraduate Diplomas in Forensic Auditing and Internal Auditing from UNISA, along with B-Tech and National Diplomas in Internal Auditing from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
Her other qualifications include the Municipal Finance Management Programme and Programme in Management Development from Wits Business School.Mosomane is a certified internal audit practitioner, certified ethics practitioner, and a qualified quality assessor, accredited by the relevant professional bodies. Mpe said her expertise will help tighten controls on spending and fight corruption, especially after recent tender troubles. Her appointment has received less criticism, with many seeing it as a positive for good governance in the municipality.
Originally published on New Zimbabwe
Source: Newzimbabwe
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