eThekwini defends senior director appointments against DA's legal challenge

THE eThekwini Municipality, which has been taken to the Durban High Court by the Democratic Alliance (DA) regarding the appointment of three senior directors, said the political party's application was based on incorrect information.

- NOMONDE ZONDI

THE DA's legal challenge against the appointment of three senior executives in the eThekwini Municipality has sparked fierce debate. LEON LESTRADE Independent Newspapers

(LEON LESTRADE Independent Newspapers)

The three new senior directors are Lindokuhle Mkhize, appointed as the executive director of Operations Management; Cyril Bhekinkosi Mkhize, as the executive director of Public Safety; and Ednick Msweli, as the executive director of Technical Services.

The DA initially sought an urgent interdict to prevent the senior managers from starting their duties (Part A of the motion) and to have the appointments declared invalid, claiming they were inconsistent with the Constitution (Part B).

Part A was abandoned by the DA during court proceedings earlier this week, with the municipality's representative, advocate Griffiths Madonsela SC, arguing against interdicting an action that had already occurred, as the managers had already assumed their duties and signed their appointment letters.