The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality stood out head and shoulders above other municipalities during presentations on audit outcomes and the strength of its Integrated Development Plans in the Eastern Cape yesterday.
This took place before the historic signing of the Service Delivery Agreement between Eastern Cape Executive Mayors, Mayors, Speakers and Chief Whips and the MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Mlibo Qoboshiyane, in East London yesterday.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, until recently the only Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, has managed to obtain and sustain an Unqualified Audit Opinion in the 2007/08, 2008/09 and the 2009/10 financial years even though there were matters of emphasis. After the May 2011 election Buffalo City also gained the status of a Metropolitan Municipality.
In addition to the unqualified audits, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality also recorded a high rating for its Integrated Development Plan (IDP), a crucial document when it comes to planning development in a municipal area.
Other Eastern Cape municipalities who also received a high rating for their IDPs are Amathole, Alfred Nzo, Buffalo City, Joe Gqabi and the Maletswai Municipality.
Executive Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile said the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality intends sustaining unqualified audit opinions by implementing a zero tolerance approach to laziness and underperformance.
“Each Councillor and worker must understand their strategic responsibility to reach the service delivery targets set by Provincial and National Government.
“In addition to this, there must be a sense of belonging by every employee in the institution to instill accountability in employees,” Mayor Wayile added.
Mayor Wayile said he will be meeting with the office of the Auditor-General to recommend a workshop with Mayoral Committee members and Councillors of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
The Service Delivery Agreements, also signed by Speakers and Chief Whips of municipalities, is considered to be first by a South Africa. province and is intended to ensure improved and sustainable delivery of services.
