Engineer groups challenge appointment of new Engineering Council of SA
Engineering organisations are going to court, saying that giving unknown individuals undue influence over the profession could endanger public safety
Fourteen organisations representing engineering experts say government is potentially placing public safety in jeopardy — and they are going to court in an attempt to safeguard safety standards. At issue is Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi’s announcement last year on the appointment of a new Engineering Council of SA (Ecsa) aimed at transformation with a higher representation of women‚ youth and technicians. The organisations taking action against the Department of Public Works allege irregularities in the appointment of Ecsa’s current 50-person council in September 2016. Industry players who have joined the court action allege lack of integrity in the process to appoint the new Ecsa council. They say it opened the door for individuals unknown to the industry‚ who now have undue influence over the profession. Ecsa’s role is vital to the quality of engineering infrastructure services as it registers engineering practitioners and regulates their practices. It also accredits engineer...
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