MMC Khosi Mabaso lambasted for “poor” performance

However, the metro has refuted these claims, saying management in this department has turned things around.

The DA has named the Department of Environmental Resources and Waste Management within the City of Ekurhuleni as one of the worst affected departments whose “poor” management has resulted in massive declines in service levels across the metro.

However, the metro has refuted these claims, saying management in this department has turned things around.

“The gross mismanagement of the department, under ANC MMC alderman Khosi Mabaso, compelled the DA to submit an urgent motion of no confidence in the MMC. It was debated in the virtual ordinary council meeting on January 28,” said André du Plessis, DA Deputy Shadow MMC for Environmental Resource and Waste Management in Ekurhuleni.

The motion, however, didn’t pass, and the DA said it was intended to compel mayor Mzwandile Masina to dismiss the MMC from her position and to restore a degree of capable management to the department.

Du Plessis said the MMC’s shortcomings included failure to award grass-cutting tenders for the 2019/20 financial year, leading to a backlog in grass-cutting in public spaces; closure and non-operational of landfill sites due to new tenders not being awarded; insufficient implementation of departmental plans to control alien invader species; and insufficient planning and inadequate engagement with councillors, which has led to the failure of the bulk walk-in containers project.

“Administratively, Mabaso has also demonstrated massive shortcomings, specifically in how she failed to hold HOD for the department Faith Wotshela to account, who the Council previously sought to place on a performance management plan.

“Financially, the department has insufficient funds available to pay waste collection contractors, whose services have since been suspended, which is indicative of the poor management of the department under the MMC.

“Despite these major leadership failures, the ANC continues to award cadres, as opposed to putting the needs of residents first by appointing capable people into critical leadership positions. “The ANC-led coalition in Ekurhuleni blames the Covid-19 pandemic for these failures; however, the decline in service delivery standards across the metro has been a trend for years, under the administration.

“The motion of no confidence highlights that the ANC puts its cadres and their coalition partners ahead of South Africans, who are crying for services. The DA will continue to put pressure on all officials to ensure that residents receive the level of service they deserve,” said du Plessis.

Office of the MMC Khosi Mabaso responded:

Is it true that grass-cutting tenders were not awarded for the entire 2019/20 financial year, resulting in the current backlog?

It is not a fact grass-cutting tenders were not awarded for this financial year.

Landfill sites have not been operational due to new tenders not being awarded. Which of these waste facilities were or are non-operational, and how is this impacting service delivery?

The tender process is regulated by the City’s supply chain regulations, which are within the finance department’s area of management. The department adhered to these strict supply chain processes and regulations when processing the tender.

Has the metro fully implemented its plans to control hyacinth, which are said to be currently destroying the biodiversity of Ekurhuleni water bodies?

The City is implementing the approved alien invasive management programme to control hyacinth challenges and is confident that the challenges faced will be eliminated. Additional capacity has been made available in the current financial year through the purchase of the new amphibious excavator to intensify the control of aquatic alien invasive vegetation. Partnerships with GDARD and the communities have been forged to strengthen the department’s commitment to eradicating aquatic invasive species.

The DA says MMC Mabaso has demonstrated massive shortcomings, specifically in how she failed to hold the HOD of the department, Faith Wotshela, to account. Your response to this?

The MMC has turned the department around since she was employed. She has been committed to ensuring that waste collection is on schedule and supports the department when faced with challenges in this regard until they are resolved.

The focus will be placed more on the Kempton Park area in this second half of the financial year where users are not using the free garden waste facilities for just garden waste and are not placing waste in bags. This is a serious operational and revenue leakage challenge which will be given attention.

The department has further demonstrated the eagerness to keep the city clean at all times by introducing the Keep Ekurhuleni Clean Programme and CBD’s Night Shift programme. These are some of the few interventions introduced by the leadership of Mabaso and focused management of Wotshela.

The fact of the matter is that the department is bringing innovation even under difficult circumstances. Du Plessis does serve in the Oversight Committee that must ensure that he contributes to holding Mabaso to account.

The department has been an achiever of mandatory targets as per audited reports. Clearly, the department is performing, however, we will not rule out politicking and political points scoring for the individuals who want to see themselves in the top list of their political party since it is the local government election year.

According to du Plessis, the department has insufficient funds available to pay waste collection contractors, whose services have since been suspended. Is this true?

It’s not. The negative impact of Covid-19 on revenue collection has led to the drastic reduction of the department’s budget. However, the department continues to meet its obligations despite the increasing demand for waste management services.

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