Latest news with #ImogenMashazi
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
City of Ekurhuleni to begin process of finding new city manager
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Ekurhuleni is preparing to begin the process of appointing a new city manager to succeed the outgoing Imogen Mashazi. Mashazi, the metro's first woman city manager, is scheduled to retire in August. However, the 65-year-old has declined to comply with a council resolution placing her on special leave ahead of her retirement. The council made the decision last week, citing the Municipal Systems Act, which prohibits individuals over the age of 65 from holding senior positions. Mashazi is unhappy about being placed on special leave just three months before her retirement. The city said it had to act in line with the Municipal Systems Act and would be in contravention of the law if it allowed her to continue working. While Mashazi said she won't accept the special leave, Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza announced that the search for her replacement would begin soon. 'We have been granted the right to advertise the position, but you can't deal with advertising if you haven't clarified this one.' Mashazi had been hoping the city would at least allow her to finish her term, which is set to end in the next two years.
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ekurhuleni city manager cries fowl after being placed on special leave, deems it unlawful
JOHANNESBURG - Outgoing Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen Mashazi believes the City Council's decision to place her on special leave is unlawful. The council put Mashazi on special leave last week, ahead of her scheduled retirement in August. This decision is based on the Municipal Systems Act, which restricts individuals over the age of 65 from holding the position. ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi placed on special leave pending her retirement However, Mashazi says she's well within her rights to continue carrying out her duties. "Regulations say the council must apply for a waiver to a minister, which former Mayor Tanya Campbell did because she followed the law. She wrote to the minister to request him to give us the waiver so that I can work beyond 65." Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, Ekuhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza says Mashazi's continued presence at the city manager's office will contravene regulations. "It's a legal prescript that says you are at work until you turn 65, and it's across the board. It's general knowledge. The law says unless council has passed a resolution to activate a waiver, there is nothing we can do."
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi refuses to vacate her position
JOHANNESBURG - Outgoing Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi has refused to vacate her position despite being placed on special leave. The city council placed her on special leave last week until her retirement date in August. This was done because Mashazi has reached the age of 65, and senior positions in local government can only be held by people younger. Although the Municipal Systems Act prohibits her continued occupancy of the city manager's office, Mashazi wants to finish her term in office, despite the age limit. Unlike political positions in local government, senior administrative roles can only be held by individuals under the age of 65. This is the main reason why Mashazi is in conflict with the city's political leaders, who have placed her on special leave. In a statement, Mashazi claims that there is an effort to damage her reputation and believes the attempts to remove her are not solely based on her age. However, the Municipal Systems Act states that any senior manager over 65 must step down the month following their birthday. Despite this regulation and the council's decision to place her on special leave, Mashazi said she would continue carrying out her duties.
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi placed on special leave pending her retirement
JOHANNESBURG - Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi has been placed on special leave, pending the 65-year-old's retirement. There has been growing tension between Mashazi and the city, as she refuses to step down before completing her term. Her refusal is in direct conflict with the Municipal Systems Act, which requires senior managers to retire a month after turning 65. Ekurhuleni's first woman city manager is not buckling under pressure to vacate her post, insisting she will serve out her full term, which ends in May 2026. Mashazi is supposed to retire in August but intends to remain in office until her contract expires. The city has subsequently placed Mashazi on special leave until her pending retirement in August. But she refuses to comply, arguing that she is still capable of performing her duties and cannot be forced out. EWN has seen a letter from Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza ordering Mashazi to vacate her office, citing her continued presence as unlawful.
Mail & Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Ekurhuleni city manager placed on special leave until retirement
Dr Imogen Mashazi. (Photo supplied) The In a letter addressed to Mashazi on Wednesday, mayor 'In accordance with the provisions of Section 55(1) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No. 32 of 2000), which outlines the duties of the municipal manager in respect of implementing council resolutions, you are hereby requested to ensure that all requisite arrangements and preparatory actions are undertaken to enable an orderly and efficient transition during this period,' the letter read. Xhakaza added that any actions contrary to the council's resolution would be considered irregular, and he acknowledged Mashazi's continued dedication, cooperation, and commitment to the service of the city. Xhakaza's letter follows a council resolution instructing the city to begin the process of appointing a new city manager, because the council did not approve Mashazi's continued tenure. It is understood that Mashazi had requested to be compensated for the remaining two years of her contract, but this request was turned down by the council. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Economic Freedom Fighters ( 'Ordinarily, when you take leave or when you are about to leave a position, it should be voluntary so that [you are] not seen to be in the way of what people are trying to do,' Malema added. 'We are going to miss her, and I hope she won't distance herself too much. I hope she remains close and continues to offer advice, as she has a wealth of experience and wisdom.' When asked whether he was aware of the council's resolution to replace Mashazi, Malema responded that, to his knowledge, she had simply requested that her contract be allowed to run its full course, even though she had reached retirement age. 'There is no such council resolution [to extend her contract], so in the absence of one, they are unable to extend it,' he said. In another letter dated 4 June, which the Mail & Guardian has seen, the council confirmed that it had approved the commencement of the recruitment process for a new city manager on a five-year fixed term. The council also approved the composition of the interview panel for the position. It will include Xhakaza, EFF provincial chair Dunga said the position still had to be advertised and would be followed by a screening process. Dunga said Mashazi was correctly given a five-year contract, in line with obligations under the Municipal Structures and Systems Acts. 'We obviously foresaw that she would either carry out the full five years or retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age. This is more of a transitional period than anything else,' Dunga said. 'We did consider a waiver that would have needed to be submitted to the minister. But be that as it may, such approval is beyond our sphere of influence. We have to focus on the matters at hand, and at this point, there is no waiver. 'There is no indication of a waiver, and administration must continue beyond one individual, even someone as dedicated as Dr Mashazi, who has served the City of Ekurhuleni for 36 years.'
