Mpumalanga Cabinet statement
11 September 2008
Mbombela status under review
Following six months of curatorship the Mpumalanga Cabinet resolved to initiate a review and ultimate rescission of Section 139 of Act 108 of the South African Constitution that was invoked when the provincial government intervened to restore normality in the Mbombela Municipality . The Act conferred powers of running the municipality to the MEC for local government and housing, Mrs Candith Mashego-Dlamini.
The Cabinet's recommendation will be submitted to the national minister of provincial and local government, Mr Sydney Mufumadi and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for further ratification and finalisation as is required by law.
Mpumalanga's capital city, Mbombela Municipality , was plagued by instability and poor service delivery when it experienced administrative and governance challenges prior the intervention of the provincial government.
Amongst other challenges, the Municipality had a high number of critical vacant funded posts, consumer debt increased from R203 million to R276 million in over six months and the municipality received a qualified audit opinion for the financial year 2004/05 and 2005/06.
In February this year, the provincial government took over the Municipality when it invoked section 139, Act 108 of the constitution. An Administrator, Mr Khayo Mpungose, was subsequently appointed to run the Municipality on behalf of the MEC for local government and housing, Mrs Candith Mashego-Dlamini.
Following the resignation of the then Mayor Counsillor Justice Nsibande, Council then appointed a new Mayor, Mr Lassy Chiwayo in May this year.
The municipality vastly improved since the above interventions were effected. Key section 57 Managers and a new Chief Financial Officer have now been appointed and their performance contracts signed. Progress has also been registered in the following areas of intervention:
- human resource issues
- 2010 and service delivery
- management and financial viability
- governance structures, processes and systems.
Upon evaluation and in line with the above progress, the Executive Council decided to review and rescind Act 108, Section 139 of the constitution and revert back executive powers to the Executive Mayor and Council pending the ratification of this decision by the minister and the NCOP.
This will enable the Mayor to constitute a Mayoral Committee and further capacitate Council to continue with the turnaround strategy.
The Provincial Department of Local Government and Housing, working in partnership with the Provincial Treasury, will however continue to monitor the functioning of Council and where necessary provide support to ensure all matters contained in the turnaround strategy are properly implemented.
To this end, cabinet expressed its appreciation to the administrator, Mr Khayo Mpungose, for the sterling role he has played and diligently executing his duties since February this year.
Enquiries:
Ntime Skhosana
Cell: 082 496 6875
Tel: 013 766 2055
Issued by: Office of the Premier