The eThekwini municipality, once heralded as the “jewel in the crown of KZN”, is set to undergo significant changes as it falls under a Section 154 intervention.
This announcement was made by KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi yesterday, marking the beginning of a transformative period for the municipality.
The intervention, that includes provincial government oversight and assistance, aims to tackle the myriad issues plaguing eThekwini.
According to Mr Buthelezi, the primary goal is to restore the municipality to its former glory. To lead this effort, former city manager Dr Mike Sutcliffe and former Presidency director-general Dr Cassius Lubisi have been appointed as governance experts.
The focus areas for the intervention are comprehensive. These include building a clean, effective, efficient, responsive, and accountable local government; implementing findings from various investigation reports; addressing non-compliance issues, particularly regarding the poor spending of allocated grants for numerous projects; and strengthening partnerships among communities, civil society, the business sector, and other critical stakeholders to restore public and investor confidence.
Mr Buthelezi said the intervention was part of the provincial government’s commitment to clean governance and accelerated service delivery, a sentiment echoed by KZN Premier Thami Ntuli.
“This intervention is a demonstration of our dedication to restoring the municipality’s functionality and ensuring that it serves the people effectively,” Mr Buthelezi stated.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed strong support for the intervention, calling it “long overdue”.
Thabani Mthethwa, leader of the DA eThekwini caucus, welcomed the intervention saying persistent issues that have plagued the municipality, include sporadic services, uncontrollable debt, and significant water supply and sewage problems.
“We are hopeful that the intervention will be the start of a turning point for the fate of the city,” Mr Mthethwa remarked.
The appointed team, led by Dr Sutcliffe and Dr Lubisi, will be tasked with providing monthly reports to the MEC. Their mandate will last for 12 months, starting from July 1. During this period, they are expected to implement strategic measures to address the identified issues and steer eThekwini towards a path of recovery and growth.
This intervention is seen as a crucial step in addressing the long-standing challenges faced by the municipality. With the provincial government’s backing and the expertise of the appointed leaders, there is cautious optimism that eThekwini will overcome its current difficulties and reclaim its status as a leading city in KwaZulu-Natal.
