Sutcliffe's appointment as governance expert for Msunduzi Municipality welcomed
Dr Michael Sutcliffe has been appointed as a governance expert for the Msunduzi Municipality.
Image: KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs / Facebook
The Msunduzi Municipality has welcomed the appointment of Dr Michael Sutcliffe as governance expert for the municipality.
The appointment was announced by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
The municipality said the appointment, effected in terms of Section 154 of the Constitution, is seen by the municipality as a timely intervention to strengthen service delivery, improve governance, and restore investor confidence in Pietermaritzburg.
The city has been beset with challenges, with the DA in Pietermaritzburg earlier this month calling for National Treasury to assume full control of the city’s financial affairs and to implement a financial recovery plan.
It said in a statement that this request followed the complete collapse of the municipality both financially and physically, with basic service delivery failing, infrastructure deteriorating, and no signs of leadership recovery.
Reacting to Sutcliffe's appointment, mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla said: “As Msunduzi, we remain fully committed to providing services to our communities, guided by legislation. Like many other municipalities, we are not immune to challenges, and we therefore welcome the Section 154 support we are receiving from the MEC and Provincial Government.
“We are particularly pleased to welcome Dr Sutcliffe, whose governance expertise and experience in turning around municipalities is well recognised. We believe that working with him will make a meaningful difference in strengthening service delivery, restoring good governance, and putting our City firmly on the path of recovery.”
The ACDP's Rienus Niemand also welcomed the appointment.
“We have for a considerable amount of time called for section 139c (the total dissolution of council) or 139 (5) national treasury intervention as all other previous interventions have dismally failed, drawing the municipality deeper and deeper into financial and administrative abyss.
“Section 154 with a suitably qualified, experienced and determined person will and can address the critical situation provided there is no political interference. Msunduzi, and in particular the rate payers of this city, deserve drastic intervention to put a stop to the rot.
“The ACDP demand and will ensure that every single culprit responsible will be held accountable and suffer the consequences of their nefarious actions. We therefore pledge our full support to the intervention and the incumbent,” Niemand said.
Sutcliffe was eThekwini Municipality's city manager for over nine years and has also been working as a local government expert supporting municipalities across the province.