DA’s ‘unqualified body builder’ De Villiers returns in Ekurhuleni

Ousted Tshwane executive Stefan De Villiers, who was exposed in a jobs-for-pals scandal by the DA in Tshwane has now returned into the political office. This time he works for the City of Ekurhuleni.

DE VILLIERS COMES BACK AFTER BEING UNLAWFULLY APPOINTED IN TSHWANE

Stefan De Villiers was exposed back in 2018 for holding an executive position in the office of then Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga.

As Executive Head in the private office of mayor, De Villiers earned over R1 million per year. But he did not meet the requirements for the job as he was only a qualified personal trainer and bodybuilding champ.

De Villiers somehow passed the interview process and secured the job which required a Bachelor’s degree, 12 years’ experience and five years of managerial experience.

He was since sacked along with other Tshwane officials got top jobs without meeting the relevant requirements.

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BODY BUILDER RETURNS, THIS TIME IN EKURHULENI

But it has emerged that De Villiers has returned into the political office, this time in the City of Ekurhuleni.

Ekurhuleni is currently run by a multiparty government, with DA Mayor Tania Campbell taking the top seat.

Speaking to The South African, De Villiers confirmed that he has been appointed by the City of Ekurhuleni.

“I am working for… Ekurhuleni. I am a Category 1 political appointment, meaning I am linked to the current Executive Mayor. I am the Senior Strategic Advisor to the Executive Mayor on service delivery and special projects.”

Asked whether he has obtained a qualification yet, De Villiers just said: “I am still busy studying and have started with my final year.”

He affirmed that Category 1 political appointments are linked to the mayor and Ekurhuleni has a policy on this.

ANC SAYS DA IS ONCE AGAIN EMPLOYING INCOMPETENT AND UNQUALIFIED MEMBERS

The ANC is concerned about this appointment, stating that the DA is again employing unqualified and inexperienced “white members”.

ANC Gauteng legislature caucus spokesperson Lesego Makhubela says the DA is breaking the law and flouting recruitment policies.

“Yet, De Villiers only has a bodybuilding certificate and no requisite qualifications or experience for the Executive Director position into which he has been hired. His only work experience is being a field operations manager of the DA – and his unlawful stint in the City of Tshwane.”

Lesego Makhubela

The ANC states that De Villiers’ new post also requires qualifications and 12 years’ experience.

“The ANC Gauteng PEC calls for the immediate removal of de Villiers from the employ of the City of Ekurhuleni. In addition to this, we call on the municipality to recoup every cent he made unlawfully from the City through his unlawful employment,” Makhubela said.

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