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DA votes in favour of adoption of Metro’s process plan

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Dear MyPE

In the interest of putting the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) first, the Democratic Alliance (DA) today voted in favour of the adoption of the Metro’s process plan, to implement the recommendations made by National Treasury.

It is imperative that these recommendations are implemented so that National Treasury can release almost R1,6 billion in grant funding that it is currently being withheld.

The DA has continuously been fighting for suitable intervention measures as well as a turnaround plan to stabilise the ailing administration of NMB.

The plan that was adopted at a Council meeting today vindicates the DA’s efforts to have an Executive Mayor elected, a City Manager appointed, to fight corruption and bring good governance to the Metro.

Some of the key issues addressed in the adopted plan are:

Concerning the institutional arrangements and the stabilisation of the institution, it was concluded and recommended that:

  • The disciplinary action against former City Manager, Johann Mettler be finalised, and a new permanent City Manager be appointed;
  • An Executive Mayor must be elected;
  • Executive Director vacancies must be filled.

The Metro agrees to demonstrate its efforts to recover all the fruitless, wasteful and irregular expenditure from contracted companies and employees who contravened the law.

This vindicates the DA’s position in stopping illegal contracts and instituting the legal action against companies such as:

  • Access Facilities
  • Erastyle
  • Afrisec

The City should monitor these cases and provide updates to the National Treasury on outcomes.

The disciplinary processes against employees that have been found guilty through forensic investigations should receive urgent attention and be concluded. This is an indictment on the ANC-led Coalition of Corruption and former Mayor Mongameli Bobani, who allowed suspended officials to return to work irregularly.

A decision by Council to withdraw Grey Moodliar Attorneys as the attorney of record was a contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), and constituted an overreach by Council. The City will, in terms of the MFMA, recover fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred as a result of this illegal decision, totalling approximately R1,9 million in legal fees, after the City lost the case brought by Grey Moodliar to reverse this decision. Councillors who voted for this and the officials who advised them, will be held personally responsibly.

The Metro, with the assistance of National Treasury, will review all evergreen contracts. This vindicates the DA who started the process of ending over 112 evergreen contracts during its time in government.

Turnaround strategy to deal with electricity losses and water losses, and challenges experienced with the IPTS.

This plan is a victory for the people of Nelson Mandela Bay and illustrates that the DA, with the assistance of the Metro’s residents, can fix this mess – we have done it before and we will do it again.

Regards

Cllr Nqaba Bhanga
DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader and NMB Mayoral Candidate

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