The head of the City of Johannesburg’s accounting officer is on the chopping block as dissatisfaction with the state of service delivery in the metro mounts.
There have been numerous concerns with regards to the lack of service delivery in the city.
It is understood that mayor Geoff Makhubo has also become increasingly frustrated with service delivery issues relating to potholes, electricity, water provision and waste removal.
On Thursday, Makhubo approved a leave request from city manager Ndivhoniswani Lukhwareni, mayoral spokesperson Mlimandlela Ndamase said in a statement. The city’s COO Floyd Brink will act in his absence.
Lukhwareni was appointed in October 2016 and his term is set to expire in a few months.
His taking leave, however, coincided with the day the city council was set to hold an extraordinary meeting at which discussing a “human resources item” relating to disciplining a senior official was to be discussed, DA caucus leader Leah Knott said in a statement.
It is understood that the council meeting would have dealt with the performance of the city and that of its administrative leadership, headed by Lukhwareni. While the council approves budgets and plans for the city, its administration has to address issues such as this.
The meeting was opened by the speaker but subsequently cancelled. Knott said the speaker indicated a “settlement” with the implicated senior manager had been reached.
Ndamase said, “Allegations and rumours that the city manager has resigned or has been coerced to do so are untrue.”
It is understood that Lukhwareni asked for more time for further engagement with the mayor on the matter.
According to a person with knowledge of the process, there has been unhappiness with his performance as city manager as service delivery has not improved. This is particularly important as SA heads to local government elections later in the year in which the ANC hopes to win back the City of Johannesburg with a majority. The city is now governed by an ANC-led coalition after the DA-led coalition lost power late in 2019.
It is understood that matters came to a head in the metro when an “incomplete and inadequate” report was tabled that dealt with the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Makhubo had committed to give a full and detailed report to the council on the PPE procurement, so it reflected poorly and directly on him when the report did not live up to expectations.
Knott said if Lukhwareni does go, it “will leave the city’s administration leaderless [and] it cannot afford to be at this critical point in time”.
She said the DA hopes that the city manager is not being made to take the fall for the mayor’s failings. “The DA will not allow for any golden handshake deal that attempts to absolve anyone in the executive of their role in the city’s Covid corruption scandal.”
When contacted for comment, Lukhwareni referred Business Day to Ndamase.
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