Seasoned administrator Sandile Booi is poised to join the Buffalo City Metro’s top ranks.
Booi’s appointment as the head of the metro’s spatial planning and development directorate is expected to be approved on Wednesday during a confidential session of a special council meeting.
A former provincial public works employee, Booi has been general manager at the metro’s transport planning and operations directorate.
He is now set to take over the HoD post from Nonceba Mbali-Majeng, who retired in October 2023. Booi has acted in the position for the past year.
Details of his proposed elevation are contained in a “top secret” council report to be tabled on Wednesday by mayor Princess Faku.
The council is expected to rubber stamp the selection panel’s recommendations to have Booi appointed on a permanent basis.
Booi, according to Faku’s report, came out tops in the selection process, achieving the highest score among seven shortlisted candidates vying for the lucrative post.
On Tuesday, Booi refused to comment, saying he was not mandated to speak to the media. He referred queries to BCM city manager Mxolisi Yawa.
Faku’s report said more than 30 people had applied for the post, which was advertised locally and nationally in February.
Seven people were shortlisted, with one candidate withdrawing from the interview process while another, who requested that her interview be rescheduled, was disqualified.
Of the seven shortlisted candidates, the selection panel recommended two, with Booi being the first choice.
In her report, Faku said this was because he had scored the highest points, had met the minimum requirements in line with the relevant regulations “and the competency requirements as set out in the regulations, as demonstrated by his performance in the interview and the competency assessment”.
Faku said the failure to appoint a permanent HoD of the directorate “has impacted negatively on operations”.
Between 2003 and 2005, Booi worked as a regional manager for the Mvula Trust.
He then worked as a manager for water services at BCM until 2009, before taking up a post at the provincial public works department as chief director for roads until 2012.
Between 2012 and 2015, he acted as a deputy director responsible for roads in the provincial department, before returning to BCM to take up the post of general manager for transport planning and operations.
He also acted as HoD of both the metro’s human settlements and municipal services directorates.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya refused to comment on Tuesday on Booi’s pending appointment.
“This report is a confidential item destined for council consideration. We are unable to talk to the media about this matter.
“After council has deliberated on the matter, the public will be informed as this is an important issue that is in the public’s interest,” Ngwenya said.
The EFF leader in council, Mziyanda Hlekiso, and DA chief whip Anathi Majeke also refused to comment until the report had been tabled in council on Wednesday.
Booi’s appointment will be effective from November 1.
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