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A former Nelson Mandela Bay executive director, Anele Qaba, has been announced as the next CEO of the Mandela Bay Development Agency on a five-year contract.
The MBDA made the announcement on Wednesday following the conclusion of its recruitment process for the post that became vacant last June.
Board Chairperson, Glenda Perumal acknowledged that the recruitment process took longer than anticipated, but she believes they have found the right person to take the Development Agency forward.
“The MBDA has evolved over the past 20 years and in that time the entity continued to make a significant contribution to the development of Nelson Mandela Bay, so finding a candidate that could leverage that legacy, and at the same time demonstrate insight into the future, was no easy task,” she said.
Perumal said Qaba possesses all the necessary requirements and “he is ready to hit the ground running.”
Qaba said in a statement that he was looking forward to continuing his role with the MBDA, albeit under a different mandate and role.
"I have worked very closely with the entity, and I was also involved in several city initiatives that gave rise to the work of the MBDA, so I know the institution well. I also look forward to working with the City, Board, Management, and all staff in pursuing the newly approved five-year strategy."
Meanwhile, DA caucus leader, Retief Odendaal, said Qaba has previously been accused of serious misconduct and he left the municipality after an out-of-court settlement was reached as a result of a botched disciplinary process.
"I have written to National Treasury and requested their direct intervention in the matter. National Treasury has a firm stance against the reappointment of officials to the very same institution after settlement agreements have been reached,” he said.
Odendaal said he has also advised the MBDA Board of its “fiduciary duty towards both the municipal entity as well as the municipality."
