The executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality, Cllr Nhlakanipho Zuma held a media briefing on Friday, December 10, to announce his executive committee.
The executive mayor decided to appoint only five members of the mayoral committee (MMC) instead of seven because of the municipality’s financial constraints.
The newly appointed MMCs are Mr Vusi Mbokazi who will be responsible for Technical Services, Mr Doctor Mtshali for Water and Sanitation, Ms Thandi Ngxonono for Planning and Development, Ms Thandi Mtsweni
for Corporate Services and Mr Oupa Sibanyoni for Community Services and Safety.
The mayor said Mr Mbokazi is equipped with technical skills and he is a qualified artisan.
He said as the municipality has analysed, assessed and then concluded that electricity and other mechanical related challenges require that there be a stand-alone department that will deal with electrical and mechanical issues.
Mr Zuma said this department will have its member of the mayoral committee and a director unlike before when departments shared a director.
He said the municipality will begin to search for a suitable and qualified candidate for that position.
Mr Zuma decided to appoint members of the mayoral committee after thorough consultation with strategic role-players of the municipality.
“We are currently a financially distressed municipality and it will not be correct for us to appoint a full bench of the mayoral committee if we intend to correct the status of the municipality,” said Mr Zuma.
Mr Zuma said they have noted and considered several principles as they considered those that are supposed to be part of the mayoral committee.
He said they looked for capacity, continuity, geographical spread, gender and youth, and decided on those who are appointed.
“It is crucial to highlight to the community that under difficult circumstances, we managed to reach consensus on the names.
“We understand that there are concerns that have been raised about the section 106 investigation and other related matters, and we want to address that in due course and a correct manner,” said Mr Zuma.
“Section 106 report has been adopted by the council and the council is currently implementing it in the manner that is within the prescripts of the law and we request the public to allow us space to deal with that particular matter and not to interfere with that process,” said Mr Zuma.
Both Cllr Ngxonono and Cllr Mtshali are implicated in the section 106 forensic investigation report.
Cllr Ngxonono retained her position as MMC for Planning and Development that she got after she resigned as the executive mayor of the municipality, while Cllr Mtshali, who was a council chief whip in the previous term, is MMC for Water and Sanitation.
Ms Ngxonono placed Mr Felani Mndebele, the now-fired municipal manager, on “precautionary suspension” with full pay last year and Mr Mndebele took the matter to the high court where it ruled in favour of Mr Mndebele.
