Opposition stymies health appointment

OPPOSITION parties thwarted an attempt by the ANC in Nelson Mandela Bay to appoint Bhisho health official Betty Ncanywa to head the city's public health department yesterday.

The parties walked out of the council chamber, effectively collapsing the meeting as the ANC failed to drum up the 61 votes needed to approve Ncanywa's appointment.

Councillors at the closed session of yesterday's council meeting said the opposition parties contended that Ncanywa lacked the minimum academic qualifications for the senior management post.

She is said to have a diploma in nursing, not a degree or postgraduate qualification – the minimum requirement for a Section 56 post.

One councillor, who spoke on condition of anonymity as it was a confidential meeting, said all the opposition parties felt Ncanywa's appointment would not be sanctioned by Eastern Cape Local Government MEC Fikile Xasa, as she was not suitably qualified for the job. - Rochelle de Kock