Breaking: Shock resignation! Enoch Mgijima Municipal Manager quits suddenly

Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality is set to undergo a leadership change after the sudden resignation of Municipal Manager Ayakha Ntengeyane, effective February 28, 2026.

In a special council meeting to be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, councillors will discuss the implications of Ntengeyane’s departure and the way forward for the municipality.

The meeting will be held in closed session to protect sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

According to a highly confidential agenda, the council will consider declaring the Municipal Manager post vacant and authorising a recruitment process to fill the position.

“The Executive Mayor Madoda Papiyana will provide more details during the meeting.

“This report is tabled before the council to formally advise councillors of the resignation of the Municipal Manager Ntengeyane, with effect from 28 February 2026,”said the report.

It also seeks to enable council to adopt resolutions to:
• Note the resignation.
• Declare the post of Municipal Manager vacant.
• Authorise a statutory-compliant recruitment and selection process; and
• Authorise interim administrative arrangements to ensure continuity of leadership.

“The Office of the Municipal Manager is a critical leadership position established in terms of Section 54A of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000. Any vacancy must be filled in accordance with strict legislative timeframes and prescribed competency requirements.”

The report states that given the governance risks associated with delay, this report is submitted without delay ahead of the scheduled Special Council meeting of 27 March 2026.

The report said: “The Executive Mayor will address the circumstances and context surrounding the resignation of the Municipal Manager, the contractual and legislative implications, including the notice period and separation
conditions, the governance risks associated with any delay in initiating the vacancy and recruitment process, financial and Human Resource implications, proposed interim administrative arrangements, including the designation of an Acting Municipal Manager, the statutory process and timeline for recruitment and appointment of a permanent Municipal Manager; and a proposed communication strategy for internal staff, the public, and relevant oversight bodies, also the resignation letter of Ntengenyane as Municipal Manager of Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality.”

The report recommends that council authorise the advertisement of the post of Municipal Manager in accordance with the law, that a Selection Panel in accordance with the law be appointed, composed of the Executive Mayor (or Delegate) as Chairperson, Councillor designated by the Municipal Council; and at least one independent external expert with expertise in municipal administration, (Optional: One Union representative from SAMWU and IMATU may attend as observers without voting rights).

It also recommends that council delegate authority to the Executive Mayor to finalise administrative arrangements related to the recruitment process, including the signing of advertisement documentation and coordination with the Selection Panel, subject to Council’s final approval of the appointment.

“That council appoints the Chief Operations Officer Estelle Mbele-Tyali as Acting Municipal Manager and authorise interim administrative arrangements subject to the limitations prescribed in Section 54A(2A) of the Municipal Systems Act.”

The report recommends that council endorses a controlled internal and external communication approach regarding the Municipal Manager’s departure and authorises the Chief Operations Officer, in consultation with the Executive Mayor, to issue an official statement at an appropriate time, following conclusion of the handover
process.