ETHEKWINI Mayor Zandile Gumede has vowed to address the concerns raised over the exodus of key members of staff over recent months at a special meeting of Exco on Monday.
At a meeting of the Executive Committee on Tuesday, Gumede said staff concerns would be addressed to ensure transparency in the city.
“This will be discussed so that everyone will know what is happening in the City and prevent gossip. I must warn people about fake news and the dangers of it as it tries to destabilise the City, cause chaos and weaken the government of the day. We have said we are dealing with corruption in the City. After the meeting we will hold a press conference so people know what is happening in our City,” said Gumede.
She said the city was in the business of service delivery. “I have clearly indicated this to officials. Here in the City we are fighting tooth and nail for clean governance and service delivery. We rely on officials to ensure that the City is working. We have no room for lazy and incompetent officials. We want everyone to be serious about service delivery.”
She said officials had to work towards a clean and corruption-free metro that was number one in terms of service delivery. “I believe this will happen as long as we work together. That includes all political parties coming together with the common goal of service delivery. Let us work harder and harder for the poor in our communities.”
Gumede also used the opportunity to praise the good work done by Deputy City Manager for Community and Emergency Services Dr Musa Gumede who will be leaving the City to take up a position in the provincial government.
“Musa is leaving with a clean record and has always treated me with respect. We wish him well as he leaves for greener pastures. I am very proud of him and have heard nothing negative about him,” she added.
In recent weeks opposition party, the Democratic Alliance raised its concerns about the stability of the Municipality following reports that a number of heads of departments had left.Speaking to Berea Mail, DA KZN leader Zwakele Mncwango said he was alarmed to hear of so many heads leaving the municipality, taking with them years of knowledge and experience.
“I believe many of these employees are leaving out of frustration. It is worrying, and our main concern is that the municipality is going to collapse,” he said.
In a daily newspaper this week, city manager, Sipho Nzuza said the high profile resignations, suspensions and dismissals had rocked the city and left him feeling concerned. Nzuza, who has only served as city manager for three months, said the burden of filling key vacant posts now fell on him.
The heads of departments who have left the employ of the municipality include deputy city manager for Community and Emergency Services, Musa Gumede, head of Parks Thembinkosi Ngcobo, head of Electricity, Sandile Maphumulo, head of Legal Services, Nokhana Moerane, head of Health, Dr Nomakhosi Gxagxisa. This week,reports surfaced of controversial Metro Police head, Eugene Nzama being offered early retirement.
