An aerial view of the City Hall building The Durban City Hall. File Picture: KHAYA NGWENYA Independent Newspapers
Durban: More than 20 positions at senior management level are vacant in the eThekwini Municipality, the City has revealed. At least four of these posts are for deputy city managers (DCMs).
Two senior managers recently left the municipality, including deputy city manager for Community and Emergency Services, Dr Musa Gumede, who relocated to another government organisation in Gauteng. The head of the eThekwini Transport Authority, Thami Manyathi, is also said to have retired recently.
The municipality has struggled to fill the key position of the deputy city manager for economic development and planning. This position has been without a full-time head since the departure of Philip Sithole in December 2022.
Additionally, The Mercury understands that the head of electricity, Maxwell Mthembu, is on suspension, while the deputy city manager for trading services, Sibusiso Makhanya, is also on suspension.
Asked about the vacancies by The Mercury, eThekwini Municipality’s communications manager Mduduzi Ncalane said the City was prioritising the matter.
“The municipality currently has four vacant deputy city manager (DCM) positions: deputy city manager (economic development and planning), deputy city manager (human settlements,engineering and transport), deputy city manager (community and emergency services), and chief operations officer. These DCM positions have been vacant for varying periods. Two of these positions are currently being advertised, while the remaining two are on hold pending the completion of the City’s structural review process.”
Furthermore, Ncalane said there are three vacant head-level positions and 15 vacant deputy head positions across various departments within the municipality. The spokesperson said the municipality is prioritising filling these vacancies as part of ongoing recruitment processes, in line with the City’s strategic and operational needs.
“Despite the challenges posed by vacant leadership positions, service delivery has been maintained through acting appointments. These individuals have ensured the continuity of the municipality’s operations. The recruitment process is actively under way, and a structural review is being conducted to realign the City’s operations with its strategic priorities, which will further enhance the capacity to deliver services effectively,” he said.
Ncalane said the City council recently approved its structure and expedited it to the KZN MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs for final approval. As soon as the structure is approved by the MEC, the municipality will commence with recruitment processes, he said.
“The municipality acknowledges public concerns regarding acting positions and reassures that individuals in these roles are fully committed to delivering quality service. Acting employees bring valuable expertise and experience, and they are supported and empowered to perform at their best.
“While the recruitment process for permanent positions is ongoing, the focus remains on maintaining high standards of service delivery to the community.
“Recruitment efforts will focus on enhancing service delivery, improving and maintaining infrastructure, strengthening public safety through effective policing and emergency services, and providing necessary administrative support to ensure smooth operations. The final number of recruits and specific areas of focus will be determined based on the municipality’s strategic priorities,” he said.
EThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (Erra) spokesperson Ish Prahladh said these crucial vacancies have an impact on the running of the City.
“The posts are very critical. To move the city forward, the DCMs need to be in place urgently.
“Various departments need to be monitored to see if the City is running efficiently. Otherwise, without these positions being filled, the various departments are going to do their own thing and the City can run into crisis,” he said.
He called for senior political leadership to take a lead in addressing the matter, adding that such positions cannot be left vacant for extended periods.
ActionSA leader Zwakele Mncwango said there were quite a few senior positions in eThekwini filled by people who are acting, which is a major concern. “When someone acts, it means they are leaving their own work to do other people’s work.”
He said another concern is when people are suspended for extended periods, citing the suspension of the head of electricity as well as the DCM for trading services.
Related Topics: