eThekwini Municipality appoints new acting city manager

Current Chief Operating Officer for the eThekwini Municipality, Musa Mbhele has been appointed as the new acting city manager.

The announcement was made yesterday, 1 July by eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda.

Mbhele, who is currently the Chief Operating Officer for the Municipality, will replace Sipho Nzuza’s who has served as a city manager since 2017.

In a statement, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Mandla Nsele said Nzuza and the City “parted ways at the end of June by mutual agreement”.

Kaunda welcomed the new city municipal manager.

“Given his wealth of experience in local government, Mbhele will ensure the city continues to render quality services to the people of eThekwini and, most importantly, stabilise the economy adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Kaunda.

Mbhele, who will act for a period of three months, takes over from Sipho Cele who has returned to his post as deputy city manager for Governance and International Relations.

Mayor commended Cele for steering the city’s ship in the right direction and stabilising the administration.

“Under his supervision, the city was able to fill all critical posts at top management level,” said Kaunda.

Nzuza is facing charges, along with the former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede, city officials and ANC councillors in connection with a multimillion-rand DSW waste collection contract.

The matter is ongoing in the Durban High Court.