The City of Johannesburg has appointed Kiba Kekana as acting city manager, effective June 30, despite previous warnings against extending acting appointments in senior positions.

The city made the announcement in a statement on Monday, saying acting mayor Kenny Kunene welcomed the secondment of Kekana by Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Jacob Mamabolo.

Mamabolo seconded Kekana in terms of Section 54A(6) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2000, as amended, and read with Regulation 20 of the Local Government regulations.

“This development follows the municipal council resolution of June 18, 2025, which resolved to request the MEC for local government in the province to second a person to act in the vacant position of city manager until a suitable person is appointed,” the city said in a statement.

Kunene, who also serves as the MMC for Transport, said Kekana’s appointment aims to stabilise the metro.

“This secondment will play a crucial role in the stability of the City of Johannesburg as we manage the transition of the political and administrative leadership,” he said. 

“Accordingly, we wish to confirm that Mr. Kiba Kekana will assume the acting city manager responsibilities with immediate effect in order to ensure certainty in the interests of governance and service delivery in Johannesburg.”

Kunene also assured residents that service delivery would continue without disruption.

Kiba previously served as the city manager for the City of Tshwane.

He was suspended in August 2009. During that time, the Metro said it would pay Kekana R2.3 million to settle allegations of maladministration after a 13-month suspension.

In January this year, the Johannesburg City Council appointed Tshepo Makola as acting city manager after the Johannesburg High Court ruled that former city manager Floyd Brink’s appointment was unlawful and irregular. 

Makola, who was the city’s chief operating officer, took over the role temporarily.

IOL News previously reported that the city has been cautioned against extending acting appointments in senior roles.

Mamabolo was asked about the second official for several vacant positions, including those directly accountable to the city manager.

The ANC-led Government of Local Unity (GLU) presented a report on the status of senior management recruitment and current acting arrangements. 

Council considered allowing Mayor Dada Morero to request an extension of Makola’s acting term or the secondment of a new candidate.

Several key posts also remain filled in an acting capacity, including communication, social development, public safety, operations, human settlements, and the city manager’s office. 

The city sought a three-month extension for acting appointments of Dr. Tinashe Mushayanyama and Candice Molefe.

The metro said legislation allows a request for secondment after six months for the city manager role, but not for directly accountable managers, where internal appointments can be made without MEC approval.

A 2022 circular supports this six-month limit. 

However, the DA, which is an opposition party in Gauteng, criticised the practice, saying expired acting appointments can’t be extended without “special circumstances,” which it argues have not been provided.

IOL Politics

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