KZN capital in a shambles

ACCORDING to news reports, measures have been taken under Section 139 (1)b to place the uMsunduzi Municipality under administration.

This is the second time in 10 years that the municipality will be placed under administration due to gross mismanagement of resources.

The extreme deterioration and neglect of the city should have served notice to the ruling party and councillors that something is “rotten in the capital city of KwaZulu-Natal”.

The potholes, dysfunctional street lights, lack of visible traffic policing, water leaks in numerous parts of the city, garbage lying around all over the city, blocked manholes, roads and pavements in a state of disrepair, to name but a few, ought to have been the wake-up call to the councillors that Msunduzi is heading towards becoming a dysfunctional city.

Residents pay high rates, taxes and electricity diligently and therefore expect to receive these services from the council.

But sadly, the service delivery level from the council is sickening.

According to the Company’s Act and the King’s report on Corporate Governance for South Africa, a breach of duties as a company director can hold serious consequences for a director.

Hence, I believe municipalities should be run according to the Companies Act, so in the event of negligence, malpractice, and mismanagement, councillors could also be held responsible for lack of service delivery, neglect of the city and mismanagement of finances.

It is time that political parties, Members of Parliament, and councillors be held accountable like company directors.

There should be consequences and accountability for the mess that the city is faced with.

MOHAMED SAEED Pietermaritzburg