BCM: National government steps in! (video)
National government on Monday stepped in to assist the embattled Buffalo City Municipality who after a year was still without a municipal manager, which has seen service delivery and accountability to the public take a nosedive.
VIDEO: Mayor Zukisa Faku announces new acting Municipal Manager
Can’t access YouTube? Click here to watch video (4.8 MB -- May buffer)
BCM executive mayor Zukisa Faku announced that Traditional Affairs and Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka has seconded Vusumuzi Mavuso from Johannesburg to stand in as acting Municipal Manager.
The secondment comes as BCM waits for the outcome of a court case in which Faku’s appointment of Mandla Sithole -- a former high-ranking official at the Ekhuruleni Municipality -- is being challenged by the ANC’s chief whip in the council, Sonny du Plessis.
The court has ordered that the process of appointing a municipal manager be suspended.
“Whilst we respect the interim court order fully and unconditionally, we have noted the numerous concerns raised by the general public over the delayed appointment of a municipal manager,” Faku said.
And she apologised to the citizens of Buffalo City: “I want to take this opportunity to apologise unreservedly to the people of Buffalo City for these and several other areas of discomfort that emanated from the legal stalemate over the appointment of a municipal manager.”
She added that Mavuso’s term will extend for the duration of the legal process around the appointment of municipal manager and that he would be based in Buffalo City.
- For the full story, see Tuesday’s print or online edition of the Daily Dispatch
So, interesting move indeed! Do you think Mr Mavuso will be able to swing the city’s fortunes around? Blog and give us your opinion!
6 Comments Already, Leave Yours Too
This chap is from Durban! Couldn’t we get someone who is not political connected but a visionary from around BCM. Are our people so useless such that when there is a crisis some ballet person from Durban is seen a the best alternative? Where are the non-political leaders from the EC.
It would be a good thing if the government could identify, functional and political roles first. Then appoint people accordingly. A municipal manager’s position is a functional role, and it would be wise to employ a capable,”functional” person, and not another politician…
By the way thanks for reviving the blogs again, i was starting to have withdrawal symptoms…
He could start by firing the mayor. This would already constitute a big saving!
Please go to the relevant Act and find out who exactly has the “executive authority” to appoint a Municipal Manager or Acting Municipal Manager. Let me give you a hint: the Minister does not, neither does the Mayor.
What was that crap one liner he gave “In fullness of time we can have engagement to say what needs to be done”. Another idiot politician! Why should he care about BC or its residents, he’s not from here!
And he will be put up in a hotel for months on end at huge cost to the ratepayers. Not to mention his expenses such as a hired car, cell account, meals, laundery bill, trips home to see his family etc etc. (remember the guy from the ‘ejucashun’ dept ??)
The heroes of the struggle have been replaced by the Nero’s of the new SA…. all fiddling while the cities burn.
Onsite Now
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