Mkhize: Act on municipality

2010-04-22 21:17

Durban - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize on Thursday called for the suspension of Msunduzi Municipality's beleaguered executive directors implicated in serious maladministration.

"We call upon the administrator to act swiftly to suspend all those implicated in impropriety and move speedily to prefer charges and initiate disciplinary steps against those affected and not hesitate to fire those who deserve it," said Mkhize.

Mayor Zanele Hlatshwayo and the council’s executive members recently stepped down following maladministration and financial mismanagement at the municipality, which runs Pietermaritzburg.

Mkhize said government would not accept "indolence, incompetence, corruption or any form of disloyalty to citizens".

"The most honourable thing for them is to resign. When the garrison falls, the general must fall on his sword. Their resignation, however, will not save them from arrest if implicated in criminal activity," said Mkhize.

Cash flow problems

He said it had been reported to his office that the municipality faced serious cash flow problems and that it was unable to meet monthly commitments.

The municipality's collection rate between March and April had dropped by 50% and that the projected deficit continued to increase on a monthly basis.

He said there was evidence where the rules of public administration have been flouted and supply chain provisions undermined.

"It is now clear that we cannot expect the current executive directors or strategic management in the form of deputy municipality managers to guide the municipality out of this predicament."

Mkhize said mounting evidence indicated that several of the directors were implicated in maladministration by act of omission or commission.

"As the leadership of this province, we must express our apologies to the ratepayers, business community and citizens of Msunduzi for the manner that this municipality has been managed."
 

- SAPA