Johannesburg City council approves Floyd Brink as city manager

The Johannesburg City Council has approved the appointment of Floyd Brink as city manager during an ordinary council meeting in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

The council approved his appointment during the council meeting on Thursday.

The decision ends months of delays in filling the position. 

Brink is not new to the role, as he previously served as city manager before the Johannesburg High Court ruled last year that his appointment had been irregular and ordered him to step down.

Following the court’s decision, Brink was reinterviewed along with other candidates and received the highest score.

IOL News previously reported that Brink was expected to make a dramatic return to the city’s top administrative post after emerging as the leading candidate in the latest round of interviews. 

This was after he secured a score of 81%, placing him at the top of the shortlist compiled by the selection panel in August.

His potential reappointment came less than a year after the High Court set aside his earlier appointment, pointing to procedural irregularities in his initial hiring in December. 

Despite that legal setback, Brink’s latest performance appeared to have solidified his position as the front-runner.

Originally, ten candidates were scheduled to be interviewed for the position, but only eight were ultimately assessed after two applicants withdrew. 

Among those interviewed were former acting city manager Tshepo Makola and former Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) chief executive Helen Botes.

Botes has faced scrutiny over her tenure at the JPC, with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) previously accusing her of gross negligence that negatively affected the entity.

Brink, who previously oversaw the municipality’s day-to-day operations and long-term strategic planning, was ranked highest among all candidates, according to a summary of the scoresheet that was previously seen by IOL News.

The current acting city manager, Kiba Kenana, has held the role on an interim basis amid a period of instability in the city’s governance.

Johannesburg has been grappling with ongoing service delivery challenges.

During a council meeting on Thursday, the council officially approved Brink’s appointment and expressed its support.

Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Safety Dr Mgcini Tshwaku of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said Brink had proven his capability during his previous tenure.

“On behalf of the EFF, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Floyd Brink on his appointment as city manager. Now you’re not at the brink of entering - you are entering,” Tshwaku said.

MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) also praised Brink’s perseverance.

“Even though there were challenges in appointing Brink, he did not give up,” Kunene said. 

“He has worked with all political parties before the unfortunate incident. He has proven that he is not just a functional city manager, but one who listens to the opposition.”

Brink’s return comes as the city prepares to host the G20 summit in November. 

However, significant service delivery challenges lie ahead.

These include water and electricity shortages, deteriorating roads, poor infrastructure, sewer spills, inadequate drainage systems and a growing number of informal settlements.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics