Crucial to protect city’s assets
Threatened and intimidated, Nelson Mandela Bay’s electricity boss Luvuyo Magalela was forced to flee the city this week as some workers downed tools over the suspension of seven officials. The officials in the electricity and energy department were suspended after a preliminary investigation uncovered an alleged corrupt network operating in the department. Since then, large parts of the city have been hit by unexpected power outages, which mayor Retief Odendaal said was likely caused by intent.
Speaking with Daron Mann in the Behind The Herald Headlines podcast, Odendaal said this all came to light after the probe into the cause of the Coega substation explosion in March, which they believed was as a result of foul play.
Since then, new information has come to light, including evidence of potential fraud and corruption in the electricity department. Odendaal said the suspension of officials has caused an outrage among some of the workers.
“Since last week it has become difficult to get some of our artisans to respond to electricity outages, and we became aware that there are elements within the department that is providing pushback and intimidating some of the staff, and that made it difficult to perform our daily tasks.
“We have managed to use contractors to assist municipal artisans to perform those jobs, but it’s difficult,” Odendaal said. He said they received intelligence that the metro leadership, too, was a target, adding they would not be intimidated into not doing their jobs.
This kind of thuggery is not new to the metro; this newspaper has recorded dozens of such instances where threats and intimidation are used to prevent disciplinary action against some accused of misconduct.
It is exactly the kind of behaviour that has pushed a few good administrators out, leaving the administration weak and open to further looting.
That there have been 10 mayors and 37 municipal managers (albeit most were in an acting capacity) in 13 years is a reflection of the chaotic state of the metro.
Magalela, Odendaal, city boss Noxolo Nqwazi and members of the political leadership must continue to take a hard line against corruption and protect the assets of this city.
What residents need is a government that will root out corruption and remain steadfast in the face of thuggery and adversity, and ultimately provide much-needed services.