AFTER receiving a comprehensive document outlining perceived problems from Ward 2 of the City of uMhlathuze, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is taking decisive action to investigate the allegations.
Through the office of COGTA MEC Nomusa Dube, two senior officials recently met with the full Ward 2 committee to gain additional information.
‘Within the boundaries of Ward 2 are the CBD, major industries, schools, a hospital and numerous residences – this is the most strategic ward in the City, hence our concerns,’ said Cllr Alen Viljoen.
‘They are shared, not only by those who live and work here, but by the many who visit for business or pleasure.
‘After battling for ages to get adequate responses, we had no alternative but to approach COGTA, and are grateful for their prompt and crucial intervention.’
Satisfied that the issues listed were serious and objective, Nandi Sikutshwa – General Manager: Public Participation and Deputy Manager: Municipal Administration Tosh Makhathini are heading the investigation into alleged City mismanagement, after doing site inspections at some of the problem areas.
Among the complaints COGTA will be addressing are:
•Serious lack of communication
Both business and private ratepayers report a glaring failure on the part of the City to respond timeously – if at all – to emails, phone calls and queries.
•Service delivery
This is reportedly suffering because of a ‘top heavy’ staff structure that has seen the addition of numerous highly-paid senior officials but a critical shortage of technical and operational staff.
•Lack of proper management
A high rate of absenteeism allegedly exists, with staff ‘floating around’ during the day and no clock-in system to record staff presence.
•Deteriorating infrastructure
Aligned to this is the departure or firing of qualified senior officials, leaving unqualified people without the capacity to properly run departments and, above all, inability to spend the budget – especially Municipal Infrastructure Grant funding.
•Political interference
The daily operations of the City includes ‘cadre deployment’.
•Fruitless expenditure
This includes the purchase of luxury vehicles and furniture, excess private security and wastage on lavish functions.
•Abuse of the tender system and failure of officials and councillors to report their private business involvements.
•Failure to address urgent issues such as the perilous state of the Fire Department premises and equipment, plus its lack of resources, as well as the huge problems being caused by heavy trucks in the city.
It is not known how long the COGTA investigation will take, nor when its findings will be made known.
