Polokwane Mayor John Mpe has strongly defended the appointment of Zimbabwean engineer Kennedy Chihota as Director of Water and Sanitation, following a surge of xenophobic backlash from political parties and sections of the public. The criticism, largely rooted in anti-immigrant sentiment, erupted after Chihota’s selection to lead one of the municipality’s most critical departments—despite his exemplary qualifications and decades of service in South Africa.
At a press conference held at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Mayor Mpe addressed the growing controversy, stating emphatically that Chihota’s appointment was based solely on merit and experience, not nationality or political influence.
“We’re not experimenting here,” Mayor Mpe declared. “We’re hiring based on proven experience and capability. Mr. Chihota’s record speaks for itself. Our focus is on service delivery, not on where someone was born.”
Kennedy Chihota is a professionally registered engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), a requirement for senior engineering posts in the country. His academic credentials are equally impressive. Chihota holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and four Master’s degrees from institutions in both Zimbabwe and South Africa:
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Master’s in Water Resources Engineering and Management – University of Zimbabwe
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Master’s in Business Administration – University of Zimbabwe
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Master’s in Property Development – University of the Witwatersrand
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Master’s in Engineering – University of Stellenbosch
Chihota’s professional experience spans both the public and private sectors. He has held leadership roles at multiple municipal and national utilities, including Johannesburg Water, the City of Ekurhuleni, and the City of Cape Town. He also served as a senior lecturer at the University of Limpopo and was Managing Director at Ekurhuleni Water Care Company. Within the Capricorn District Municipality, he held positions such as PMU Manager, Water Services Manager, and Senior Infrastructure Manager.
Polokwane Mayor Defends Zimbabwean Engineer Amid Xenophobic Backlash
Despite these qualifications, opposition parties including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA have openly criticized his appointment, arguing that top municipal roles should go to South African citizens—especially in light of poor service delivery in areas such as Seshego, Mankweng, and others within Limpopo Province.
Critics argue that hiring a foreign national sends the wrong message at a time when South Africa is battling high unemployment, especially among its engineering graduates. Others have used the occasion to fuel xenophobic rhetoric, portraying the appointment as part of a broader failure to prioritize locals in leadership and employment.
Chihota’s case has become a flashpoint in South Africa’s broader immigration debate, where foreign nationals—even highly skilled ones—are increasingly targeted in political discourse. Anti-immigrant sentiments, often amplified by socio-economic frustration and poor local governance, have led to protests, discrimination, and even violent attacks in various parts of the country.
Civil society organisations and rights activists have expressed concern that the outrage over Chihota’s hiring reflects deeper, systemic xenophobia that undermines regional cooperation and professional standards.
According to insiders at the Polokwane Municipality, the backlash has exposed simmering tensions between municipal leadership and councillors. Some councillors reportedly raised concerns over hiring procedures, promotional practices, and alleged financial mismanagement.
The friction has widened a growing rift between the City Manager’s office and political leadership, with Chihota’s appointment viewed by some as the latest flashpoint in an ongoing power struggle within the municipality.
Despite these internal challenges, Mayor Mpe has remained resolute in his support for the appointment, warning against politicising vital service delivery roles.
“Polokwane is grappling with serious water supply challenges that demand technical expertise and strong leadership,” Mayor Mpe said. “We cannot afford to let prejudice or populism compromise our ability to meet those challenges head-on.”
Mayor Mpe’s firm stance has won praise from professional bodies and sections of the public who argue that skill and competence should take precedence over nationality. They warn that undermining merit-based appointments in favour of political appeasement risks further deterioration of public services.
For his part, Chihota has yet to publicly comment on the controversy. However, those familiar with his work describe him as a committed and technically astute leader who has long contributed to South Africa’s infrastructure development behind the scenes.
As the political noise continues, Polokwane’s water and sanitation issues remain urgent. Whether Chihota’s leadership can help resolve them may ultimately speak louder than the debate that preceded his appointment.
Source- ZimEye
