THERE was heated discussion when Councillor Sykes Naidoo announced that municipal manager, Xolani Luthuli, was granted leave in the council meeting on Wednesday, December 10.
Councillor Eddie Baptie expressed grave concern that the municipality would be manned by a stand-in manager during the festive season, the busiest time of year.
Councillor Nadioo shared Councillor Baptie’s sentiments and urged officials to be more mindful of this in future.
The municipality could well be vulnerable to problems arising during this time.
Adil Nunkumar, general manager of financial services, has been appointed acting municipal manager, from December 15 to January 2, 2015.
Mr Nunkumar also tendered his resignation at the beginning of December after seven years as the chief financial officer at the municipality and will leave the municipality at the end of January.
On a more positive note, in terms of the budget for 2014/2015, Special Programmes is required to provide support to three HIV/Aids organisations operating within Umdoni Municipality.
Council approved that Khanya Hospice, Sibongungwane Women’s Organisation and Amahlongwa Community Skills Development Centre will each receive R10 000.
Umdoni Municipality would like to host a function to recognise the top matric achievers for 2014.
There was a suggestion that more money should be allocated for bursaries rather than awards.
It was also said that council needs to be more forceful with SAPS and ‘bobbies on the beat’.
They need to patrol the main street as well as the beachfront more efficiently.
