Umzumbe Municipality placed under administration
KZN Cogta MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi sent a delegation to Umzumbe on Tuesday last week to introduce the ministerial representative, Martin Sithole, who will assist the municipality in implementing recovery plans.
The drama-engulfed Umzumbe Municipality was placed under administration by the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) on Tuesday last week.
Cogta’s MEC, Bongiwe-Sithole Moloi, said the decision to intervene in Umzumbe through the implementation of Section 139 (1)(b) of the Constitution was made by the KZN provincial cabinet.
About two weeks ago, the Umzumbe municipal offices were closed due to protest action against the contract of its Municipal Manager. Also, five ANC councillors were recently suspended, and their wards are now preparing for by-elections.
Sithole-Moloi sent a delegation to Umzumbe on Tuesday to introduce the ministerial representative, Martin Sithole, who will assist the municipality in implementing recovery plans.
She said Umzumbe Municipality has been grappling with prolonged challenges since the beginning of the current term of councils, stemming from political instability and unfilled vacancies in senior positions, including the Municipal Manager and Chief Financial Officer.
Also, she added that the municipality failed to convene council meetings and committees as outlined in the Municipal Structures Act. It has also failed to spend Municipal Infrastructure Grants, has poor audit outcomes, poor collection rates, failed to table a draft budget and to adopt the medium-term budget, among other challenges.
“Sithole will develop and implement the recovery plan in line with the terms of reference set out by the cabinet. He will also receive additional expert support from the department as he is expected to improve the municipality’s performance and service delivery. Sithole, together with the department, will focus on enhancing planning and expenditure, improving finances and the expenditure of grants for projects and electrification among the key duties,” she said.
The MEC said they are hopeful that the cabinet’s decision to place Umzumbe under administration will assist in turning things around.
Sithole-Moloi said they will support the ministerial representative and provide a team of experts to assist the municipality, particularly with planning and expenditure of grants for projects and electrification.
“We hope that in due course, this municipality will turn the corner so that the people of this municipality can receive the services they deserve. We call upon all leadership, councillors and administrators to work with Sithole and provide all necessary support. We have also set performance indicators for Sithole. We will monitor his performance to ensure that he performs in line with the terms of reference set by the cabinet to improve service delivery,” she said.
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