‘Manager must serve the city’

AS THE search for Durban’s next city manager has entered an advanced stage, opposition parties have called for a fair recruitment process and the appointment of someone who would advance the interests of ratepayers.

Friday was the final day to submit applications for the post that was advertised in December.

The successful candidate will receive a five-year fixed-term contract, and for being at the helm of the city’s administration, a salary package of between R2.5 million and R3.9m per annum, will be offered.

Some of the key responsibilities of the person moving into the hot seat will include the development and implementation of effective strategy and policies that result in the effective functioning of a metropolitan municipality with an annual budget of over R50 billion.

Sipho Nzuza held that position previously but his term ended after he was arrested and charged with various counts of fraud and corruption, alongside former ethekwini mayor, Zandile Gumede and other high-ranking municipal officials.

It has been alleged that Nzuza and the other accused benefited from a scandalous Durban Solid Waste contract worth over R320m in 2017.

Nzuza was considered Gumede’s ally when he took up the post in 2017.

Gumede became mayor after the 2016 local government elections.

Nzuza’s mandate was to transform Durban into a modern, attractive and among the top-five most liveable cities in the world.

After his arrest in March 2020, Nzuza remained suspended until he parted ways with the city, not before reaching a settlement agreement with his employers, with 10 months remaining on his contract.

Since his departure, two senior officials, Sipho Cele, the deputy city manager (DCM) for governance and international relations, and Musa Mbhele, a chief operating officer, have acted interchangeably in the position.

It is believed both Cele and Mbhele are among those vying for the position.

A municipal source, who wished to remain anonymous, said Musa Gumede, a DCM for community and emergency services and former city manager Sibusiso Sithole are among those who applied for the position.

Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has been included in the panel to select the best candidate, who would work hand-inhand with the mayor.

With the city bent on improving its tarnished reputation, Nicole Graham, the DA’S caucus leader, believed no one presently within the ranks of the municipality deserved the position.

“This post requires somebody who is preferably untainted by the current politics of the city. I do not think there is anyone in the current administration who can do the work that needs to be done. We are really looking for somebody with an oomph that can put the politics aside and implement a proper turnaround strategy for the city. I do not think either Sipho Cele or Musa Mbhele are the right people at this point,” said Graham.

Thabani Miya, the EFF’S executive committee member, said that while the position required someone who understands political dynamics, they hoped for an impartial person who would not do favours for the ruling party.

He said only reports would determine whether the two senior officials who acted in the position deserved the job.

He stressed there were still fraudulent activities within the city payroll department, and claimed that the municipality was spending over 50% of its revenues paying salaries.

“The expenditure of the municipality remains too high, and there is still corruption taking place within the Expanded Public Works Programme where the city is paying ghost employees.

“As politicians, we can play our role and hold the mayor accountable, but it is the city manager who can turn things around in the municipality’s administration,” said Miya.

Mdu Nkosi, the IFP’S caucus leader said the incoming city manager had a duty to restore the dignity of the city.

“The city has been borrowing billions with high return costs which has hindered development. We need someone who is capable of turning things around, not a political deployee.

“The mayor (Kaunda) is in a better position to appoint a capable person if he is serious about this municipality. Fortunately, the two officials who have been acting did so under his watch, he knows their capabilities.”