By Doreen Mokgolo
- Minister Velinkosi Hlabisa says the city broke the law when it gave Kagiso Lerutle a second contract.
- Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza says the process was fair and wants government talks to fix the problem.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza says the city will go to court if it has to, all to defend how they gave Kagiso Lerutle his job back as the Group Chief Financial Officer.
This comes after Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velinkosi Hlabisa said the appointment was not legal.
In a letter that was leaked, Hlabisa told Gauteng MEC Jacob Mamabolo that the City of Ekurhuleni didn’t follow the rules when it gave Lerutle a five-year contract in August 2024.
He said the job should have been permanent, not a fixed-term contract, and that this broke the law.
He also pointed out that the panel that chose Lerutle had three councillors, but the law says there should only be one.
Because of these problems, Hlabisa said the appointment was not valid and must be cancelled.
He also said the city is refusing to fix the mistake and instead wants to take the matter to the high court.
Hlabisa gave Mamabolo 14 days to say how the issue will be sorted out.
But Xhakaza is standing by the city’s decision. He says the minister’s letter leaves out important details.
“I understand the concerns, but the letter doesn’t explain everything that happened,” he said.
He believes Lerutle’s appointment was fair and followed the rules.
The mayor is now asking for government leaders at all levels to sit down and find a way forward.
Pictured above: Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza.
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
