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Eastern Cape Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Zolile Williams.
The Eastern Cape government has issued a strong warning to underperforming municipal officials, stating they will be removed. This comes after a two-day District Development Model (DDM) engagement held in Gqeberha, aimed at improving service delivery and addressing poor infrastructure conditions.
The DDM, initiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019, brings together all three spheres of government to find solutions for municipalities’ challenges.
The event was themed “All of Government and All of Society,” and identified underperforming officials as key contributors to the hindered service delivery.
Eastern Cape Cogta MEC Zolile Williams emphasized the urgency of holding officials accountable.
“We will take strong action against managers who are not up to standard. We cannot allow municipalities to collapse, and underperforming managers must leave local government,” said Williams.
The OR Tambo District Municipality, where the model was first piloted, highlighted the importance of the DDM in holding municipalities accountable.
Mayor Mesuli Ngqondwana stressed that the model would bind all levels of government to regulations ensuring effective delivery.
“We are here to conceptualize how to implement the DDM and achieve the desired outcomes,” said Ngqondwana.
Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Chief Mpumalanga Gwadiso, also expressed support for the model, emphasizing the role of traditional leadership in linking communities with government.
“Traditional leaders must play a central role for the model to succeed,” said Gwadiso.
The provincial government has also called on the private sector, particularly banks, to invest in catalyst projects to drive further development in the region.
