The Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has announced two new appointments to provide administrative stability to Nelson Mandela Bay.
Former Sarah Baartman municipal managers, Ted Pillay and Lonwabo Ngoqo, have been appointed acting City Managers and Chief Operations Officers for the next six months.
William made this announcement during a briefing at the City Hall on Tuesday.
Pillay and Ngoqo will replace Mandla George and Christopher Dyani immediately.
According to Williams, his office was requested to intervene in these two appointments following a resolution from a council meeting.
The Metro has been without a City Manager since Nqwazi was suspended in 2023 for breaching the Municipal Finance Management Act and Municipal Systems Act.
“The duo has been appointed with clear terms of reference on what must be achieved to deliver services to the people of Nelson Mandela Bay,” says Williams.
He also read out a list of things the two need to achieve, including ensuring that they implement project finalisation, there is sufficient water and energy, maintenance of road infrastructure, fill the vacant director positions, and handle outstanding disciplinary cases.
Williams also said the duo must implement disaster relief programs, particularly those for the parts of Kariega affected by the 2024 floods.
“They must work towards the financial stability of the metro, increase revenue collection, and ensure positive audit outcomes,” he added.
Williams also suggested that George did not meet the terms of reference during his tenure, saying, “The scope was too big for one person to focus on within six months. Mandla [George] did everything he could.”
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe welcomed Williams' appointments and said, “We thank MEC Williams for the interventions to address service delivery challenges. We are looking forward to working with this team of experienced senior officials.”
When quizzed on Nqwazi's status, Lobishe said they are still in the negotiating stage, as advised by the MEC and National Treasury. This is to reach a settlement amount so that her contract can be terminated.
