A ZULULAND political analyst says a change of the electoral system at grassroots level will ensure that political interference at municipalities is minimised and ‘power returns to the people’.
Dr Christopher Isike, Head of the Department: Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Zululand, was responding to articles in the Zululand Observer detailing alleged political manipulation of administrative affairs in the City of uMhlathuze.
Earlier this month, the Zululand Observer published excerpts of a legal response by City Deputy Municipal Manager: Infrastructure and Technical Services, Sifiso Mdakane, who had been placed on suspension pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of misconduct.
The legal response included among others, alleged collusion between regional political leaders and City senior management to remove staff as well as political coaxing to hire preferred contractors who are huge funders of the ANC.
‘Much as every kind of electoral system has its pros and cons, I am a critic of the use of proportional representation system at local government level,’ said Isike.
‘This is the root cause of the kind of political interference at uMhlathuze by party big wigs. There is a thin line between politics and public administration at any level of government.
‘This is because public policy making and implementation as well as development planning and implementation are all products of politics. Therefore, it would be utopian to expect zero political interference in local government administration.’
Good omen
However, Isike said the saga unfolding at the municipality was not necessarily negative for local residents.
‘In fact, it spells a good omen for democratic consolidation because we shall all learn useful lessons that hopefully will prevent a reoccurrence.
‘This is particularly noteworthy because this time it is not the people or civil society making allegations of political interference, corruption or nepotism against government officials.
‘Rather it is the government officials and politicians themselves. So yes, it may cost the taxpayer to get to the bottom of this saga, but it will be worth it for the people at the end because it shall present opportunities for positive change,’ explained Isike.
