Provincial intervention to save uMkhanyakude District

FOLLOWING a report received last Monday on the state of uMkhanyakude District, the KZN Executive Council has intervened.

Premier Sihle Zikalala, who chairs the council, expressed his grave concerns about the persistent challenges facing the municipality.

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The latest in a series of challenges is the municipality’s failure to approve its 2022/23 budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

This prompted mandatory provincial intervention as outlined by the Constitution.

According to the Executive Council, failure to approve the budget may lead to the financial collapse of the municipality, compromising the well-being of the community.

Zikalala said the breakdown of council meetings has resulted in the council failing to fulfil its key executive functions.

“Therefore, we resolved to augment the terms of reference of the Ministerial Representative and added more powers which will now be assumed by the Provincial Executive Council to bring back stability and good governance to uMkhanyakude District Municipality,” he said.

Zikalala said Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube has been delegated to approve the temporary budget and associated revenue-raising measures.

“It was also approved that Dube-Ncube delegate the responsibility to approve funds for the requirements of the municipality to be withdrawn from the municipality’s bank accounts until the municipal budget for the 2022/23 financial year is approved,” he continued.

This includes the power to appoint the acting municipal manager and acting senior managers reporting directly to the municipal manager.

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