Councillors get stern warning
Satisfied with their efforts in heading the uMhlathuze budget effort are Deputy Chief Financial Officer - Hilton Renald, City Mayor - Cllr Zakhele Mnqayi, Assistant Chief Financial Officer - Cristina da Cruz and Chief Financial Officer - Dan Pillay
Dave Savides
'WE will not hesitate to get rid of under-performing councillors.'
That's the warning from City of uMhlathuze Mayor, Cllr Zakhele Mnqayi, who while praising the efforts and enthusiasm of the budget team and officials, spoke out strongly against the lack of capital expenditure spending.
'Our biggest concern has been the inability to spend the budgeted amounts - in particular the City Engineers Department, which takes nearly 60% of the capital budget,' said Mnqayi.
'While acknowledging the effects of the nationwide brain drain, some R60-million has previously been made available to address capacity staffing and shortages so excuses are unacceptable.'
Mnqayi called on full-time councillors to become accountable for expenditure in the portfolio committees they chair.
'Lack of capital expenditure spending last year meant that some R104-million failed to benefit the intended recipients, which is totally unacceptable.'
Proud
Speaking to the Zululand Observer following the acceptance of the 2008/09 budget in council, Mnqayi said the record R1.6-billion City of uMhlathuze budget is the product of political and technical excellence.
'The budget we have tabled will assist us to carry out our mandate and guide us in becoming proactive to the needs of the communities we serve,' said Mnqayi.
'It has a number of strengths, one of which is the fact that it is equitably distributed.
'Vital infrastructure in the primary industrial investment node of Richards Bay and Empangeni will be maintained at a high level; more development node infrastructure investment is catered for; and rural (township) node development gets 45% of the capital budget.
'For the first time, the budget is properly aligned with the IDP, this via numerous strategy meetings last year,' he said.
'On the negative side, this is the first budget to incorporate the Municipal Property Rates Act but apart for a few who will pay more, this has been contained to affordable levels.'
Still growing
Mnqayi said the fact that this year's budget was nearly R400-million higher than the last showed that the City was still on an upward growth cycle.
'Investor confidence is still very high and for the next five years we will continue to show better growth than other cities.
'The fact that both the capital expenditure and operating budget are climbing is a healthy sign.
'At the same time, we are addressing socio-economic imbalances of the past by creating an enabling environment for the delivery of basic social services, job creation, economic empowerment, skills development and social security.'
Mnqayi, who personally presented the road shows, said public participation had been a hallmark of the budget process, with 3 189 people having attended 12 public meetings - an increase of 106% over last year.
'People are realising their democratic right to be part of the decision-making process.'
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