THE Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) and the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) initiatives in the City will be merged under one unit to further enhance service delivery.
The formation of the unit was approved in principle at meeting of council on Thursday, 27 October. EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede said the new structure will be able to implement interventions to empower people living in different communities in eThekwini.
She said contrary to media reports, the City had not created a “needless” unit. Gumede said the OSS and EPWP were existing programmes whose work had changed the lives of many residents in the City.
She said there were 14 vacant posts in the organogram of the proposed merged unit, with the rest of the posts being filled by existing staff. “The merging of the two programmes, which has impacted positively on a number of eThekwini residents, will ensure better coordination. This in essence will ensure the unit is able to implement interventions more effectively through this one administrative structure. The amalgamation of these two programmes into one unit, will further strengthen the work that has already been done. At the same time it will ensure an improved response to community issues both service delivery related and those of social ills that plague the community,” she said.
Gumede said it would also guarantee proper administration in OSS and EPWP and address the backlog of issues raised previously in communities which may not have been addressed due to insufficient capacity. So far, some of the work done through the OSS programmes has assisted child headed households, the elderly and disabled. The City’s contribution to job creation through the EPWP has also been recognised. This year EThekwini won three awards at the KZN Expanded Public Works Programme Kamoso Awards, for ‘Best infrastructure,’ ‘Best Maintenance’ and ‘Best Volunteer’ programmes.
Meanwhile, the report laid before Council on Thursday indicated that the establishment of the management structure was an urgent requirement.
Gumede said existing staff would be absorbed into the new unit and there would be further discussion with relevant stakeholders about the new unit. Speaker William Mapena said while the report ws approved in principle, it would be referred back to committee for further deliberation regarding the structure.
“We are approving the structure of the unit in principle. Labour matters will still be engaged on,” he said.
