Cape Town - It’s been months since the news that Premier Alan Winde intends to hire disgraced former MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela as his special adviser.
Since the revelation, the planned appointment has been criticised and brought before Parliament.
Odette Cason, from the office of the Premier confirmed to the Weekend Argus that it's been months in the planning and Madikizela is yet to be appointed to the role. “No appointment has been made as yet,’ she said.
Opposition parties were not happy with the fat annual salary of close to R2 million Madikizela was going to receive.
The proposed salary was downgraded to level 3 by the former Department of Public Service Administration (PSA) Ayanda Dlodlo. This was revealed by Dlodlo when responding to GOOD Party MP Brett Herron when he was asking whether the minister had received motivation from Winde for the appointment of Madikizela at level 4, despite Madikizela having admitted to claiming a degree he did not have.
Dlodlo confirmed that she received motivation, but Madikizela’s level of expertise and stature in the particular field did not qualify him for the level 4 salary proposed by Winde.
“Based on the above, an assessment of Mr Madikizela’s CV indicated that he enjoys a sufficient degree of recognition as a competent expert at national and international level to justify the awarding of compensation level III.”
Madikizela had claimed in the past that he was qualified for the post.
Herron said rules had to be re-evaluated as the Premier received ‘green light to appoint a disgraced matriculant career politician to a high-earning position.’
“From the Minister’s response and reading the regulations, there appears to be no vetting process for special advisers besides a security clearance. Certainly, no requirement to appoint people of integrity or proven expertise.”
“Winde claims to lead a government of integrity, and President Ramaphosa claims to lead a government in the process of renewing its integrity. Appointing special advisers of the like of Bonginkosi Madikizela betrays a lack of integrity at both the provincial and national levels of government.”
ANC leader in provincial legislature Cameron Dugmore said they welcomed the downgrading of Madikizela’s salary offer.
“This has simply resulted in embarrassment to Madikizela. The guidelines are very clear that Madikizela does not qualify for level 4. Why then did Winde ask for the highest level?”
Speaking on behalf of the Premier, Cason said they received the minister’s advice and have accepted it.
“This is advice that we will accept, in adherence to the role of DPSA in this regard, which advises on the proposed salary levels of all special advisers countrywide.”
She did not respond to the question of when is Madikizela expected to start in the role.
Weekend Argus