Lawrence Boya, the acting managing director of Pikitup - the refuse removal operation run by the City of Johannesburg - has been replaced by Amanda Nair and South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) has welcomed the decision.
"Boya has been relieved of his duties," the union's Gauteng organiser Menzi Luthuli said in a statement. He welcomed what he called the "brave decision" not to appoint Boya.
"The decision not to appoint Boya does not come as a surprise, given his track record in the Eastern Cape provincial government and his recent arrest, relating to alleged corruption and fraud, which was widely reported in the media."
A court case is underway in which Boya, along with four others, has been charged with defrauding the Eastern Cape health department of about R11m.
Boya was a superintendent general in the provincial health department at the time the alleged crimes took place.
The City of Johannesburg said it was "absolutely untrue" that there was any scandal related to the release of Boya from his post.
"Boya was acting in the position. Applications were put out and a suitable candidate was found," spokesman Gabu Tugwana said.
He said the union was "taking chances" with its allegations.
Tugwana said the court action against Boya was "not an issue at all" during the selection process.
"The city is not a justice department. That man had a case related to his employment in the Eastern Cape and that investigation is continuing. It's a police matter. It has nothing to do with his activities in the City of Johannesburg," Tugwana said.
Source: Sapa via I-NET Bridge