Political parties had mixed reactions to the appointment of Dr Michael Sutcliffe to assist with the turnaround strategy for Msunduzi Municipality. 

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, appointed Sutcliffe as the Governance Expert to support the uMsunduzi Local Municipality. He said this was a crucial step towards implementing a comprehensive turnaround strategy for the municipality.

Rienus Niemand, a councillor with the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), said that for a considerable amount of time, they have called for the total dissolution of council or National Treasury intervention, as all other previous interventions had failed.

“This pulled the municipality deeper and deeper into the financial and administrative abyss. Section 154, with a suitably qualified, experienced and determined person, will and can address the critical situation provided there is no political interference. Unfortunately, this has been the hallmark of all the previous failed attempts,” he said. 

Niemand said they will support the intervention and the incumbent. 

Chuma Wakeni, an EFF Councillor, said that they supported the efforts to stabilise Msunduzi and instill public confidence, but the standard of measure and the quality of people that are brought to help must be practical and believable.

“As it stands, we are not afforded that, but we are just given an impression that the provincial government is doing something, while it is not. The EFF views this as a missed opportunity by the provincial government to achieve stability and a turnaround,” he said. 

Wakeni said this is a sign that the provincial government is now recycling old guards while expecting new approaches to clean governance and functional municipalities. 

Ross Strachan, of the DA in Msunduzi, described the appointment as a “window dressing” intervention into the collapse of the municipality. He said that Msunduzi urgently needs a real rescue plan, with clear deadlines and measurable outcomes. 

“Without a plan and timelines, and the lack of accountability, the provincial response is nothing more than a symbolic meeting. Msunduzi is in a freefall. Residents are living through constant water cuts, electricity failures, unaffordable bills, and a municipality sinking into debt,” he said. 

Sutcliffe is a former eThekwini Municipal Manager and has also worked as a local government expert, supporting municipalities across the province.

Recently, the KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli appointed a seven-member Premier’s Working Group (PMWG) to probe the collapse of governance in Msunduzi.

Sutcliffe’s appointment comes after a sustained outcry over deteriorating municipal Infrastructure and a sharp decline in business confidence in the Pietermaritzburg CBD. 

His immediate task is the implementation of a turnaround plan, with a specific and urgent focus on restoring service delivery, strengthening good governance, restoring investor confidence and ensuring sound financial management.

Buthelezi emphasised the collective responsibility of all councillors to support Sutcliffe in his critical role.

He also called upon the councillors to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability to the residents they serve. He said this would benefit the broader Msunduzi community and all ratepayers.

zaiul.dawood@inl.co.za

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