Suspended Tshwane chief of staff must pay back the money, says EFF
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Tshwane has called for the immediate removal of the city's suspended chief of staff Marietha Aucamp.
This after Aucamp was placed on special leave by the city following allegations that she is not qualified for her position.
EFF members confronted mayor Solly Msimanga during a mayoral meeting on Wednesday, demanding that he immediately remove Aucamp from her position.
Tshwane EFF regional chairperson Benjamin Disoloane says Aucamp must also pay back the salary she earned during her time as chief of staff.
"We went there to do a sit-in today demanding for the removal of Marietha as chief of staff.
"We are also saying Marietha must pay back our money so that we may be able to deal with the pending issues of service delivery with that money."
Aucamp, who assumed the position in 2016, earned in the region R1.2 million per year.
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The City of Tshwane says while the discrepancies will be investigated, the position does not require any post-matric qualification.
"While it's advantageous for the candidate to be in possession of the required qualification, it however doesn't preclude a candidate in the political office to be considered for the position without having the relevant qualification, as what is required is experience and grasp of local government. As Chief Whip, Aucamp has the managerial experience of 16 years," says City of Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba.
At issue is the fact that Aucamp claimed during her assessment to be in possession of a BTech degree, something she made no mention of on her CV or in her job application form.
Disoloane is adamant that a university qualification is a basic requirement to be hired as a chief of staff.
"You cannot hire someone who is not qualified and someone who does not have the requirements that have been specified by the job required.
"Remember that person becomes an advisor in the mayoral office, how can the mayoral office have someone like that? It means some of the advice you cannot even trust."
He believes the officials who hired Aucamp should be suspended.
"We also demand that if there are any officials that are involved in the shenanigans of Marietha, they should also be suspended with immediate effect pending the formal investigation."