Administrator mooted for Ugu

With news of former eThekwini City manager and local government expert Sibusiso Sithole being named as a possible interim municipal manager at Ugu, some South Coasters are still calling for the municipality to be placed under full administration.

Ugu spokesman France Zama confirmed that Mr Sithole’s possible appointment emanated from the special council meeting held on Wednesday last week where the position of interim district manager was discussed.

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According to Mr Zama, council had asked for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to provide names of possible candidates as the current Ugu municipal manager, DD Naidoo was on sick leave.

Mr Sithole’s name was on the list of possible candidates.

He is currently the administrator at Msunduzi Municipality, where he was appointed to improve the municipality’s governance and ensure it was financially viable.

Port Edward resident, Isabella Smith feels that bringing in an administrator would be the best solution for Ugu as it appeared the municipality was in “self-destruct mode”.

“We need a new broom at Ugu and whoever comes in must really be an expert because we have been suffering for too long.”

Mthandeni Ngcobo, chairman of the South African Municipal Worker’s Union (Samwu) Ugu branch and who is currently on suspension as a result of labor unrest said the union would welcome Mr Sithole’s appointment.

“In fact we don’t just want one administrator, we are calling for full administration and for the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) to exercise its right to employ section 139 of the constitution because Ugu does not fulfill its executive obligation in terms of legislation.”

Municipalities that are not performing may be subjected to section 139 which provides that when a municipality cannot or does not fulfill an executive obligation in terms of the constitution or legislation, the PEC may intervene by taking any appropriate steps to ensure fulfillment of that obligation.

It prescribes five ways in which the PEC may invoke an intervention. These include:

* Issuing of a directive;

* Assuming responsibility;

* Dissolving the municipal council;

* Taking appropriate steps to ensure that the budget or revenue-raising measures are approved: section 139(4); and

* Imposing a recovery plan and possible dissolution of the municipal council.

“At this stage no appointment has been made. The council shortlisted a few names and Mr Sithole’s name is among them, but that’s just a recommendation. The decision is still Cogta’s prerogative,” said Mr Zama.

Cogta spokesman Senzelwe Mzila dismissed this as “just rumour”, adding that Mr Sithole would not be leaving Msunduzi.

“Mr Sithole is still the administrator at Msunduzi Municipality. If this were to change, the department would communicate this,” he said.

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