Msunduzi Municipality ratepayer associations are looking forward to a fresh and effective approach from new municipal manager Simon Mndebele to turn the city’s fortunes around.

Mndebele, who was appointed as the manager on Friday, was described by Mzimkhulu Thebolla,  Msunduzi’s mayor, as pivotal to reposition Msunduzi as a municipality that is responsive, financially stable, and people-centred.

Mndebele previously served as a technical support expert for Msunduzi Municipality, deployed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). Mndebele also served as municipal manager at Govan Mbeki Local Municipality and director in its Corporate Services department at Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality.

“In this capacity, he led the development of the municipality’s turnaround strategy, conducted diagnostic analyses, and helped establish critical performance oversight structures. His in-depth knowledge of Msunduzi’s operational landscape provides a solid foundation for decisive leadership from day one,” Thebolla said. 

He added that with his leadership, Msunduzi aims to fast-track infrastructure development, improve basic services, strengthen financial controls, and restore institutional stability.

Thebolla called upon all stakeholders to rally behind Mndebele and support his mission to lead a clean, capable, and service-driven administration. Jimmy Naidoo, chairperson of the Northern Areas Residents and Ratepayers Association (NARRA), stated that over the years, they have not had a municipal manager who has completed their term or addressed the core challenges that ratepayers face—particularly those related to billing systems, policy implementation, and credit control. 

“We are hopeful that the newly appointed manager will take decisive and aggressive steps to fix the ongoing issues in the billing cycle. It is also crucial that accountability is enforced and that there are clear consequences for non-performance across all departments. We look forward to seeing whether he will bring a fresh and effective approach—one that finally delivers where others have fallen short,” Naidoo said. 

Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics (MARRC) CEO Anthony Waldhausen is concerned that the Govan Mbeki municipality was issued with a disclaimer notice for three financial periods from 2017/2018, 2018/2019, and 2019/2020 by the Auditor General. Waldhausen stated that Msunduzi had a revolving door where municipal managers have not served their full terms of office. 

“Did the selection committee for the municipal manager conduct a thorough due diligence report to ensure that no other red flags were missed? Since 2010, we have had over five municipal managers, some left with a cloud over their heads from supposed suspension, and then to have the suspension overturned or withdrawn,” Waldhausen said. 

Waldhausen called for a professional, effective, and competent municipal workforce that can provide service delivery and development to the citizens of Pietermaritzburg, but it must be free from any form of political interference and internal factionalism.

The MARRC stated that they would work with Mndebele to turn the fortunes of Pietermaritzburg around for the better. 

“We call on the mayor and council to allow the municipal manager to do his job without fear and favour,” said Waldhausen. 

Waldhausen said that MARRC submitted a discussion document on the White Paper on Local Government, calling for an overhaul of local government. 

“One of the suggestions is to make the selection and appointment of the municipal manager and senior management positions to be done in the public space, and to have the selection and appointment of the municipal manager and senior management positions conducted in the public space,” he said. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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