Opposition parties criticise GMM mayor for Soma speech, reshuffling of excom
The DA said Zuma misrepresented the dire state of affairs in the municipality, while FF+ said his vision for 2030 is lacking.
Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma used his State of the Municipal Address (SOMA) to reshuffle his mayoral committee.
Zuma added two MMCs, enlarging his mayoral committee to 10 members.
ANC Ward 14 Clr Jabu Zwane is the new MMC for Revenue Enhancement, while the ATM PR councillor, Lwandile Ziwele, is the new MMC for Energy, replacing ANC Ward 29 Clr Aron Mbokazi, who is now the MMC for Finance.
Zuma previously led this portfolio as mayor.
The former MMC for Water and Sanitation, Doctor Mtshali, is now the MMC for Corporate Services, and the former Planning and Development MMC, Thandi Ngxonono, is now the MMC for Civil and Engineering, a new portfolio.
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ANC Ward 24 Clr Thandi Mtsweni is the new MMC for Planning and Development. The EFF PR councillor, Mavis Nsibande, remained in her position as the MMC for Community Services.
Zuma said there was a need for a Revenue Enhancement MMC, whose role is to collect money owed to the municipality.
The DA said self-centred cadres ran the municipality, and the appointment of two new MMCs made this evident.
They said the move was ill-advised and shortsighted, considering the GMM was cash-strapped and had an unfunded budget.
The DA said that during his SOMA, Zuma completely misrepresented the dire state of affairs in the municipality.
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According to them, the mayor refused to take responsibility for the water and electricity crisis in Bethal, and they accused him of contributing to the GMM’s lack of water and load-shedding.
The party said Zuma lambasted other role players for the municipality’s shortcomings, and his speech was more of a campaign dialogue aimed at luring gullible voters back to the ANC.
The DA said the belief that the municipality would be the best in Mpumalanga by 2030 was fictitious. The Freedom Front Plus said in a press statement that the GMM was another sinking ship under ANC rule.
They criticised the mayor for repeatedly playing the race card and blaming the previous dispensation.
Clr Aranda Nel-Buitendag said in the press release that the GMM failed to meet their legal duties, and residents suffer because of poor service delivery and a lack of political and administrative leadership.
The FF+ claimed Zuma’s promises had remained the same since 2021, and his vision for 2030 was lacking.
They said Zuma praised former mayors for their good and upbuilding work, despite the municipality drowning in debt.
The debt included R3.5b due to Eskom and R668m to Rand Water. Nel-Buitendag said the residents deserved a municipality that rendered quality service.
