He took charge of the municipality when Thandi Ngxonono stepped aside in October 2020.
Newly elected Secunda mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma is dreaming about a clean Govan Mbeki local municipality.
Zuma has started a campaign called ‘Ijima Lokuhlwengisa’ within weeks of stepping into office.
He replaced Thandi Ngxonono who stepped aside as mayor in October 2020 after being implicated in an investigation report uncovering nepotism, bad governance and corruption at the municipality.
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Zuma wants a clean clean Govan Mbeki local municipality where residents take responsibility in keeping their own area clean.
On Facebook, Zuma was concerned that residents continued to dump waste anywhere despite efforts by the municipality to clean it up.
“The refuse removal trucks have been on schedule on collecting refuse in Ext 18 in eMbalenhle this week.
“We further removed the heap of rubble from the section but within 24 hours people have already begun dumbing again. What must be done?” the mayor asked.
Govan Mbeki is one of Mpumalanga’s worst run municipalities, found by forensic investigators to have officials who receive instructions from politicians on which contractors and employees to appoint as well as giving other businesspeople work without a signed contract.
The investigators hired by MEC Mandla Msibi’s co-operative governance department said the “absence of a contract can only indicate that” the projects were never put out to tender.
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Ngxonono resigned when the October 2020 report recommended actions be taken against her for her “interference” in the appointment of employees and contractors. Also actions against Ethel Nkosi, a former councillor in the municipality and an ANC REC member in Gert Sibande region, were also recommended in terms of the Code of Councillors Conduct.
Residents complain the municipality doesn’t pick the waste up on time and have resorted to dumping it anywhere they see an empty space.
But Zuma is hoping of all of this will end with Ijima Lokuhlwengisa.
It will promote cleanliness and the need to protect the environment as a parent to life.
(edited by MLM)
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