Mayor dismisses tension claims
City Manager Sibusiso Sithole's contract will finish on Friday, 23 December.
THE animosity between eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and City Manager, Sibusiso Sithole was put to rest at a joint media briefing today, although media at the briefing were not convinced.
The briefing was called following media reports alleging that Gumede has illegally sacked Sithole just weeks before his contract was due to expire. The DA alleged that Sithole was being moved out because he blocked the deployment of ANC cadres to municipal positions.
Gumede and Sithole addressed the media today, 22 December at the City Hall and in a joint statement dismissed media claims that there was tension between them.
Gumede also corrected and placed on record that the City Manager had not been suspended or forced out of office as purported in the media.
“The City Manager’s contract term ends on 31 December 2016. However, he will conclude his duties on 23 December to allow for continuity through an acting appointment by a special council meeting until such time as a permanent appointment is made,” Gumede said.
She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the City Manger for his diligent and professional service to the people of the Durban.
“Both the city manager and I would like to assure the public and city employees that the cohesion that exists with the metro management will ensure a smooth transitional period.”
Gumede said Dumisile Nene, Deputy City Manager for Corporate and Human Resources Cluster, would act as the City Manager for the three months or until the position is permanently filled.
“The process to fill the position of the City Manger has started. As per a decision taken at an in-committee council meeting today, a recruitment agency will assist with filling the position to ensure the process is fair,” she said. She confirmed Sithole was one of the candidates who had applied for the position.
Berea Mail reporter at he media briefing, Lorna Charles Bux, said despite claims that all was well between the Gumede and Sithole, the tension between the two was evident. Despite it being a joint statement, the two did not look in each other’s direction once during the briefing, and did not walk out together.
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