The Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nocci) last week appealed to Kagisho Sonyoni, executive mayor of the Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley, to identify the candidates being considered for the position of municipal manager.
Nocci has not yet received a response from the mayor’s office.
The contract of Goolam Akharwaray, previous city manager, expired last month.
According to Sharon Steyn, chief executive officer of Nocci, this position should be seen as critically important; one that should not be placed on hold.
“The post should be filled by the end of March so that the municipality can move ahead with service delivery and all the issues that are not being attended to. This is a matter of urgency.
“We have also been trying to arrange an appointment with the mayor, but to date we have had no response as to when we can meet and discuss business matters.”
She says despite the fact that the mayor and council knew that the contract would be ending soon, no one has been appointed.
“The ideal municipal manager must have accountancy qualifications and applicable experience. He or she must take the future of Kimberley seriously. For instance, all outstanding moneys must be collected from government departments.
“Can you blame some businesses for not paying when they fail to receive the services they are prepared to pay for? You cannot pay for a whole loaf of bread, but receive only half.”
Steyn says the new municipal manager must be appointed before the end of the financial year.
“This person must work on probation of three or six months. If he or she cannot make a notable difference by improving service delivery and the municipality’s financial woes, the contract should be terminated.”
Nocci wants to see the city growing and attracting investors.
“We want to work with the municipality. The business sector is crucial for the survival of the municipality as we pay rates and taxes.
“The sooner we take hands and work together in a trusting relationship, the better. We want to build a sound relationship with the council,” Steyn says.
“We have a very strong committee and we’re not going to leave the issue of a competent city manager alone. The municipality needs to start pulling fingers as we all want our city back to its sparkling and vibrant self.”
- Persome Oliphant, mayoral spokesperson, failed to respond to enquiries regarding the matter.
