DA accuses Gauteng MEC of using POPI Act to shield ANC cadre appointments in Emfuleni

VAAL TRIANGLE - The DA in Emfuleni says Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo uses the Protection of Personal Information Act to hide the employment of unqualified ANC cadres in the Emfuleni Local Municipality. In a written reply to questions posed by the DA, the MEC for COGTA, Jacob Mamabolo, outlines that Emfuleni hired 151 people between 2021 and July 2024. MEC Mamabolo cites the POPI Act as the rationale for non-disclosure of the names of the employees, asserting that “an employee’s confidential information is governed by the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013”. The DA’s Kingsol Chabalala said although the DA acknowledges the POPI Act, they question the MEC’s convenient use of the Act to hide the names of those employed by the municipality during this period. He believes the municipality’s failure to hire competent and qualified individuals for key positions is the reason for this non-disclosure. According Chabalala, this has contributed to service delivery failures, including Emfuleni’s R8-billion debt to Eskom, sewage problems in the Vaal River, and crumbling infrastructure. Chabalala calls for competent officials to be hired to restore services in the municipality.

PHOTO: (ELM)