EThekwini's senior appointments face legal challenge from opposition

THE filling of critical positions in the eThekwini Municipality is being challenged in court following accusations by the opposition that the appointments are “not fit for purpose”.

- THAMI MAGUBANE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants the appointments to be reviewed and set aside. On November 13, 2025, the municipality appointed three senior managers to the following positions:

Lindokuhle Mkhize was appointed as Executive Director of Operations Management.

Bhekinkosi Mkhize was appointed as Executive Director of Public Safety. This position primarily handles Metro Police and other safety and security operations in the city.

Ednick Msweli was appointed as Executive Director for Technical Services. This position deals mostly with trading services such as water, sanitation, and electricity.

In the court papers, the DA is the applicant, the eThekwini council is the first respondent, the mayor is listed as the second, and the municipal manager as the third respondent. The three appointees are also listed.

Detailing the relief the party seeks before the Durban High Court, the DA stated: "We seek to review and set aside the decision of the first respondent on 13 November 2025, declaring the appointment decisions to be inconsistent with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and invalid”

The DAs application is in two parts. In Part A, the party seeks urgent interim relief pending Part B. It seeks to interdict and restrain the first to third respondents from continuing to give effect to the council's decision to appoint these individuals.