By Anita Dangazele
- Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams launched a Non Negotiables booklet to enforce clear service standards in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
- The booklet will be built into performance agreements of municipal managers and directors, with action promised against officials who fail to deliver services.
Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams has unveiled a tough new plan to fix failing services in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Williams launched the Non Negotiables booklet at Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton, Gqeberha on Tuesday.
The booklet sets out clear service standards for municipalities. It covers water supply, road maintenance, financial management and compliance with the South African Revenue Service.
Williams said communities had lost trust in government because of poor service delivery.
“Our communities have lost trust in our government due to poor delivery of services. The Booklet on Non Negotiables SOPs is an attempt to claw back the trust of our people,” he said.
Before the launch, officials ran awareness programmes at Charles Duna and Phendla Primary Schools in New Brighton.
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre taught learners and residents about flood risks during heavy rain. Firefighters also held live demonstrations. They showed how they deal with fires through controlled burning and extinguishing exercises.
Outside the venue, teams patched potholes, painted road markings and cleaned streets.
The province said these were examples of the standards municipalities must meet.
Williams made it clear that political and administrative leaders must be visible in communities.
“Democratic government did not say to our managers and mayors: come into the office and forget about the outside world. The outside world is our communities,” he said.
He warned that mayors must hold municipal managers accountable. Municipal managers must also act against directors and supervisors who fail to perform.
“If they fail to do that, we will come in and say everyone is failing. Action must be taken against those who do not perform,” Williams said.
He said the Non Negotiables would form part of performance agreements. Officials who ignore their constitutional duties could face stronger steps, including possible legal action.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe welcomed the booklet. She said the municipality had examined its weaknesses and was working with a Section 154 support team to fix problems and improve governance.
Sarah Baartman District Municipality Executive Mayor Deon De Vos also backed the move. He said better systems, ethical leadership and measurable performance were needed to restore trust.
The provincial government said the launch marked the start of a wider push to tighten accountability and improve service delivery across the Eastern Cape.
Pictured above: Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe and mayoral committee members pictured above.
Image source: Supplied