The National Treasury (NT) has advised the City of Mbombela (CoM) to either cut or combine existing departments to cut costs. This financially troubled municipality initially had 10 departments when it should have been running with only eight.
In responding to the NT’s advice, CoM’s executive mayor, Cllr Sibongile Makushe, introduced the new municipal departments according to the approved gazette from the provincial Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, with the new members of the municipal committee (MMCs) and general managers (GMs).
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Water and sanitation has been combined with electricity, roads and technical services, and will be led by Cllr Mxolisi Maseko. Sports, arts and culture will fall under Cllr Khanyisa Mhlanga. The Department of Corporate and Support Services will be headed by Cllr Dannison Mkhatshwa.
Cllr Elizabeth Gecelo-Mkhabela will serve as the new MMC for finance services, while Cllr Phumzile Mashego has been tasked with overseeing the Department of City Planning and Development.
Cllr Jackson Mhlanga has been given the role of MMC for strategic management services.
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The Department of Local Economic Development has been given to Cllr Innocent Lusenga. Cllr Phindile Mbowane has been tasked with overseeing the community services portfolio. Makhushe said she had confidence in the new executive committee and believes that it will deliver to the expectations of the municipality and the communities at large.
“The new committee and the GMs have already started working on July 1, because we needed to fast-track services. They are all experienced in local government and I believe they will deliver accordingly. I am pleading with our communities to work with them at all times,” she said.