THE first order of business for the inaugural eThekwini Executive Committee following the election of new ANC leadership at last week’s council meeting, was to appoint new chairpersons to the various council committees.
• Councillor Ntokozo Sibiya will chair the Community Services Committee which deals with community services including community participation, health services, library services, parks, recreation and culture and the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
• Councillor Thanduxolo Sabelo will chair the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee which deals with all matters pertaining to electricity, engineering, human settlements, transport, waste management and water and sanitation.
• Deputy Mayor Belinda Scott will chair the Finance, Security and Emergency Services Committee which deals with all matters pertaining to emergency services and safety and security which include disaster management, Metro Police, Fire Services, Security Management and Safer Cities.
• Councillor Nompumelelo Sithole will chair the Governance and Human Resources Committee which is responsible for corporate administration, promotion of interface between the Municipality and local communities, national and international stakeholders and human resources matters including skills development.
• Councillor Sipho Kaunda will chair the Economic Development and Planning Committee which deals with the promotion of local economic development and investment opportunities in eThekwini and provides a conducive environment to promote entrepreneurship and also oversees regulations pertaining to land use management.
Following the appointment, eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda urged the committee chairpersons to “hit the ground running as there is much work to be done”.
“Today marks the first day that we work as a collective to execute the tasks and responsibilities that have been placed on our shoulders in order to respond to service delivery needs. I have no doubt that within an acceptable timeframe, we will deal with some of the issues contributing to poverty,” he said.
Kaunda said the service delivery needs of the Municipality were huge and reiterated that in order to address them, everyone had to work together.
“I appeal to you all to work with us to achieve service delivery non-negotiables which include an improved refuse removal and collection service, addressing water and electricity cuts and supply, a proper billing system, problem buildings, improving the stormwater drainage system, crime and the enforcement of bylaws, focusing on a high investment and tourism drive and providing a safe, reliable and affordable public transport system.”
