Pay her out or reinstate her because the charges against her are frivolous.
These are the options which have been given to the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality’s head honchos in the ongoing saga involving city manager Noxolo Nqwazi.
A legal opinion written by advocate Olav Ronaasen SC for the municipality has in no uncertain terms made it clear that the charges in the disciplinary case against Nqwazi are baseless, raising serious doubt about the validity of her suspension.
For nearly two years, Nqwazi has drawn a full salary while on suspension, all while the ratepayers have had to fork out more money to pay her stand-ins.
And with all that time wasted, and about 18 months left on her contract, the municipality’s leadership is being shown up for its poor handling of this matter.
The Bay has pressing challenges that demand its attention, and for that to happen, it needs political and administrative stability. This has been sorely lacking.
There are major infrastructure challenges in the city and some questionable decisions being taken at a political level that must be challenged, and to do that there must be an administrative head in charge who is willing to make those uncomfortable yet vital decisions.
Is Nqwazi that person?
We do not know because she was suspended a year into her contract on what Ronaasen says are questionable charges.
It is important to note, however, that Nqwazi is also facing criminal charges for her role in a multimillion-rand toilet tender which allegedly bypassed processes to award a R24.6m contract to HT Pelatona for the construction of 2,000 toilets.
She pleaded not guilty. The state closed its case on July 15.
Ronaasen wrote that the city’s investigation was cursory and lacked all the relevant facts.
“This resulted in unfounded allusions as to misconduct on the part of [Nqwazi], which alleged misconduct did not ultimately feature in the disciplinary charges brought against her.
“These unfounded allusions contributed to the decision to place her on precautionary suspension, which places a serious question on the veracity of that process.”
Whether the council decides to buy her out of the rest of her contract, continue with the disciplinary hearing or reinstate her, our hope is that councillors will take a decision with the best interests of the residents at heart, and not one that is driven by political interests.
This chapter must be closed once and for all with the view of moving the city forward.
The Herald
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