Andile Fani. Picture: MARK ANDREWS
THE issue of whether or not the man tasked with running Buffalo City Metro administration has the qualifications he claims to have has been shelved to next month.
On Wednesday executive mayor Zukiswa Ncitha asked the council not to go ahead with the planned discussions about Andile Fani’s academic record. The council had demanded a full report on Fani’s academic qualifications last year and that
Fani should make all original certificates available for verification.
Fani applied for the R1.3-million a year job in 2011 and i n March last year, after acting as city boss since November 2010, council hired him.
“There are new developments, and this information has to be part of this report. I’ ve asked that the item be shelved for the next council meeting, and council has agreed,” said Ncitha . Three sources close to the developments confirmed that Fani refused to submit the original documents and that the mayor wanted the postponement as she first wanted to consult with the ANC. Last August former ANC councillor and chief whip Sonny du Plessis wrote to council demanding that Fani’s academic records be made public.
When Fani applied for the job he claimed to have the required certificate and two diplomas – one in public management and administration and another in labour law.
But Du Plessis challenged this citing a City Press article alleging Fani’s academic certificates as bogus. The report quoted Valencia Mashigo of the local government Seta as saying her organisation and the South African Qualifications Authority did not recognise Fani’s municipal financial management certificate, from Pretoria-based Kgolo Institute, because his results had not been verified.
On December 13 Fani wrote to Ncitha saying he was uncomfortable giving her his original certificates.
“Those qualifications are certified by a commissioner of oaths who is obliged by law to check the originals prior to certifying them.”
In response, Ncitha instituted a forensic investigation.
“That forensic report is out, and it is going to complicate things. What the mayor wants is backing from the party [ANC]. And until they [ANC] see the report, she is unable to table it to council,” said a council source close to the controversy. — zineg@dispatch.co.za
