CoGTA MEC addresses urgent municipal issues:
Sipho Hlomuka, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), recently addressed a number of issues raised by the Uthukela, Umzinyathi, and Amajuba Districts following a recent audit.
Mr T. Thubane, Head of Department, welcomed attendees and said the goal of the meeting was for the various municipalities to get to know one another.
He was, however, irritated by the fact that several members arrived late despite being advised that punctuality was crucial.
“We made it clear that members are expected to be here on time. If a meeting is supposed to commence at 09:00 then it should commence at 09:00. You don’t make people wait. We have this ‘African time’ syndrome or mindset that needs to be eradicated!” He cautioned, “Take your governmental responsibilities seriously.”
MEC Hlomuka then returned to the podium to deliver the keynote presentation.
He added that he had already met with the other clusters, and was blown away by the fact that the municipal attendance was at 97% for the first time.
“We assessed all 54 municipalities in KZN and spoke with them about the code of conduct as well. However, following a meeting with Newcastle Municipality after National Treasury warned us that the municipality was not doing well, I am concerned.”
Thubane then took over and said that municipalities were expected to follow rules and regulations in accordance to government policies.
“These rules and regulations are in place for a reason and need to be followed. Local municipalities cannot be changing rules during the middle of the day as if they’re changing lovers in the middle of the night!” he warned.
Thubane further stated the results of the skills audits would be discussed with each municipality individually, in order to determine what intervention plans would be required to ensure the smooth operation of those municipalities.
“Training will also be provided for municipal officials and councillors in the upcoming months. There is a budget set aside for training workshops, and this needs to be utilised for the development of municipal staff,” he said.
He also mentioned certain municipal senior officials who had been targeted because of the political parties with which they were affiliated.
“Certain senior officials have been identified as being targeted following the shift in power on November 1, 2021. We are witnessing irrational dismissals and suspensions of these employees with no proper evidence of wrongdoing! These officials, regardless of who they represent, are the ones who know the way things work. They have the skills and knowledge required to run the municipality, and they are being forcefully removed for no reason other than their political ties. This has to stop right now! This is not in keeping with the spirit of the constitution. So, unless these officials have done something gravely wrong, we need them to stay in office because they are the ones who pass down the necessary skills to ensure a municipality runs smoothly,” he said.
Following this, a line-up of CoGTA representatives addressed a variety of concerns, strategies and plans aimed at improving local municipalities in the upcoming months.
The day was concluded with a discussion between municipal and CoGTA officials, followed by lunch.
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