Decisive measures to address the governance and service delivery challenges in the uMdoni Local Municipality have been announced by KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC, Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
Buthelezi is committed to improving service delivery, strengthen governance and enhance accountability within KwaZulu-Natal’s local government.
He met with the full council on Monday to communicate the Provincial Executive’s decision to intervene in the municipality under section 154(1) of the Constitution.
This follows extensive engagements with the municipality and community members aimed at restoring stability.
Section 154(1) mandates national and provincial governments, through legislative and other measures, to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to manage their own affairs and to exercise their powers and functions.
Buthelezi said he believed that the section 154(1) intervention, guided by the Provincial Executive, will provide the municipality with enhanced support from the provincial government.
He announced that a local government specialist, Dhanpalan Devaraj Naidoo, will be appointed to guide the municipality through its current challenges.
Naidoo brings 30 years of experience in local government, having served as a Municipal Manager in the Ugu District for eight years and in uMdoni Local Municipality for another eight years.
The MEC said Naidoo’s expertise is expected to be invaluable in stabilising the municipality.
“Naidoo is a seasoned local government specialist whose wealth of experience is unquestionable. We believe his expertise will be crucial in stabilising the municipality.
“uMdoni is a key tourism hub that should exemplify good governance, sound financial management, and efficient service delivery. This is what ratepayers want to see,” Buthelezi said.
The MEC also noted that the local government specialist will support the council without undermining its powers and responsibilities.
The Provincial Executive’s decision to intervene has been welcomed by all parties in the council, who have pledged to work together with the specialist to ensure the municipality’s stabilisation.
Suspension of senior officials commended at department
Meanwhile, Buthelezi, has commended the suspension of five officials in his department, including the Chief Financial Officer and Supply Chain Management Director, following financial misconduct allegations in the run-up to May 2024 elections.
The officials were placed on suspension on Friday, pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The suspensions send a strong message in restoring a culture of good governance and consequence management in the department,” Buthelezi said. – SAnews.gov.za
