Gumede is here ‘to crack the whip’
NO MORE “sitting on the computer playing cards” and no more inaccessible councillors.
Newly installed eThekwini municipality mayor Zandile Gumede said she was there to “crack the whip” and promised better service delivery for residents. She would start in her own building.
In an interview with The Independent on Saturday yesterday, she said she would not tolerate lazy officials who hampered service delivery.
“I am putting the house in order. I want things to be done properly, and not just to glorify any party. We need to plan holistically and work with everyone to improve our city. I will make sure officials do their work. I will be cracking the whip to ensure work is done on time.”
Gumede added poor planning and laziness would not be tolerated. “If you come to work to sit and play card games on the computer while our community is waiting for development, I’m not going to tolerate it.”
At the same time, Gumede said she wanted to accelerate service delivery in the region.
“I come with experience in capacity building and development. We all need to work together so we don’t delay development. People say a lot about section 36 which is the used for emergency tenders, but it’s a good thing if used in the right way.
“We must look carefully at the credibility of contractors and know what they are doing. You also can’t give one contractor several jobs at the same time, as where will their concentration be? You’re just gunning for failure then.”
Gumede promised residents would be able to access councillors. “Our councillors have signed the code of conduct so they know what their responsibilities are.
“If a person is trying to contact a councillor, an administrator should be in the office to take messages and inform the resident where the councillor is. We will be training councillors and empower them with skills they need for their work.
“Soon, residents will be able to place their concerns and compliments into suggestion boxes in councillor offices and at municipal centres.
“In this way we can measure what is happening and how the councillors are doing. Residents will become more active in the municipality.”