Enoch Godongwana, the finance minister, has urged the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality’s sixth administration to prioritise the needs of local communities.
In introducing the National Cabinet Representative (NCR) and technical support team for Mangaung, which was placed under administration earlier this year, the Minister made the call.
Cabinet approved the national Section 139(7) intervention in the metro on April 6, 2022.
“The National Cabinet Representative’s and the technical support team’s main duty is to stabilise this municipality by seeing that the Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) is carried out on Cabinet’s behalf.
The team is present to see that the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality’s issues with finances and service delivery are resolved.
In order to assist the municipality on its journey to recovery, a team from Ntiyiso Consulting led by Mr. Paul Maseko has been recruited by Cabinet, according to Godongwana.
Ntiyiso, according to the Minister, has been active in local government for a while.
The improvement of the financial and service delivery performance will be guaranteed by their knowledge and competence, as well as by your unwavering support and commitment to put the FRP into practise.
The municipality is currently dealing with significant issues as the metro’s sixth term, which began in November 2021, approaches.
Mangaung is governed by a… And it saddens me that, in spite of this intervention, your financial and service delivery performance shows no sign of improvement.
“This circumstance has made it necessary to implement a more severe model of intervention in order to safeguard the communities and residents of Mangaung and enhance the efficiency of financial and service delivery in the municipality.
“This is one of the first metropolitan areas to encounter such extreme financial and service delivery problems.
Although the quality of service delivery in these municipalities has declined over time, it has recently increased, according to Godongwana.
Taking action to improve
If this municipality is to be stabilised, the Minister claimed that the relationship between political and administrative leadership needs to be addressed.
He reminded council members that, “especially when these continue to impair service delivery,” there are procedures in place in the democratic system to deal with political and administrative factionalism.
“It is disappointing to see roads covered in potholes with little effort being made to complete the necessary repairs as soon as possible.
“Basic and important infrastructure has been neglected for far too long.
This is only one of several plainly visible indicators of municipal dysfunction.
Given the enormous potential that this council has to provide high-quality services and improve the lives of Mangaung residents, this is incredibly sad.
“I stand here before you, the new council, which has been in power for six months as of the local elections in November 2021, begging that you put the interests of communities first,” she said.
Godongwana advised the council members not to abuse their position of privilege and authority.
“Reports have been shared with me over the past few months that suggest this council is highly divided and prone to factionalism.
These reports suggest that internal conflicts within the council are preventing or delaying the adoption of important decisions.
As an illustration, the municipality’s budget was only enacted after the third try rather than by May 20, 2022, as required by law.
This gives me little faith in your capacity to lead. Additionally, it sends unsettling signals to investors.
Plan for Financial Recovery
Support and direction are required for the Financial Recovery Plan to be implemented successfully.
Godongwana added: “The leadership must also have the mentality to focus its efforts on fundamental service delivery measures.
If you get the fundamentals correct, you can accomplish incredible things.
“This council has the power to help the municipality get out of the dysfunctional situation it’s in right now.
Focus on presenting the Mangaung Metro as a dependable, goal-oriented, and compassionate tool of the populace’s will.
The Section 139(7) National Intervention, which was started by Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, in April, is anticipated to deepen as a result of the NCR.
The Minister gave assurance that Ntiyiso would help the metro get back on track.
“Mr. Maseko has been given the go-ahead from the national Cabinet to direct this intervention.
It is crucial to emphasise that steps have already been taken to revise the current FRP and set new goals and deadlines for carrying out FRP operations.
“Your municipality must carry out these FRP operations and make an effort to achieve the deadlines.
This process will be managed by Mr. Maseko.
Council and Cabinet will receive regular briefings from him on his progress and any roadblocks.
Additionally, he will make sure that every choice made by the municipality complies fully with the FRP.