Concern at Msunduzi Municipality’s finances

FIVE months after being appointed to lead a turnaround team for Msunduzi Municipality, former KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Ravi Pillay has described the city’s current financial situation as a matter of concern.

- BONGANI HANS

Pillay was appointed by Premier Thami Ntuli to co-lead the Premier's Msunduzi Working Group (PMWG), which was established under Section 154 of the Constitution in February, to help with a strategy to turn around the municipality's collapsing service delivery and financial control systems.

“The current financial situation is of great concern and will require careful and intensive management,” said Pillay.

He said the employment of the new municipality manager (MM), Felani Mndebele, who started his duties on August 1, was encouraging as this would bring stability and facilitate the implementation of the recovery plan in the municipality.

The MM position was left vacant after Lulamile Mapholoba was fired last year, leaving the entity in a turmoil situation and there was a visible lack of service delivery.

Pillay was appointed along with Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize to co-lead the PMWG, but Mkhize was no longer involved.

Pillay said Mkhize has been replaced in the PMWG by provincial acting DG Dr Nkosenye Zulu.

The DA wants the municipality to be placed under financial administration for various reasons, including having debts of up to R2 billion.