By Nkhensani Chauke
Acting Joburg mayor Kenny Kunene has endorsed Gauteng COGTA MEC Jacob Mamabolo’s decision to appoint Kiba Kekana as the Acting Manager of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality.
The decision aligns with a June 2025 Municipal Council resolution asking Mamabolo to appoint an interim City Manager until a permanent replacement is found.
The appointment is based on Section 54A (6) of the Local Government Municipal System Act No. 32 of 2000, as amended, and regulation 20 of Local Government.
“The Acting Executive Mayor welcomes the MEC secondment of Mr. Kiba Kekana as the Acting City Manager with effect from the 30th June 2025,” said Kunene.
Kunene said that the appointment of Kekana will contribute significantly to the stability of the City of Johannesburg, as they manage the transition of the political and administrative leadership.
“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 interest of governance and service delivery in Johannesburg,” said Kunene.
Kunene assured residents of Johannesburg that service delivery will continue without disruptions.
“Accordingly, the Acting Executive Mayor wishes to assure the residents of Johannesburg that the service delivery will continue without disruptions notwithstanding this transition,” said Kunene.
ActionSA said it has noted the appointment of Kekana as Acting City Manager and called for oversight and good governance.
“Though we supported the resolution to extend the acting period under the provisions of Section 54A (6) of the Municipal Systems Act following the lapse of the 6-month maximum acting period in good faith, it is important that we draw a clear distinction between supporting the principle of establishing the administration through a secondment, on one hand, and endorsing the specific appointment of an individual with a questionable track record, on the other,” said ActionSA.
Kekana previously served as City Manager in Tshwane but was suspended in August 2009.
The city later paid him R2.3 million to settle allegations of maladministration after a 13-month suspension.
Earlier this year, Johannesburg appointed Tshepo Makola as acting city manager after the High Court ruled that Floyd Brink’s appointment was unlawful.
Makola, the city’s chief operating officer, had stepped in temporarily.
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