Mhlathuze Water Board bows out
Utility bids directors farewell following high court ruling
MHLATHUZE Water last week officially took leave of its board members, including Chairperson Dudu Myeni, after the Pietermaritzburg High Court in December ruled that the board had to be replaced.
In the case of Makhanya vs the Minister of Water and Sanitation and the Mhlathuze Water Board, Judge Yvonne Mbatha determined the extension on Myeni’s term as chairperson was unlawful and that Minister Nomvula Mokonyane did not possess the necessary legislative powers to extend her stay in office beyond the maximum
prescribed period as per the National Water Act.
The board was taken to court by Mhlathuze’s suspended CEO Sibusiso Makhanya, who accused Myeni of ‘capturing’ the water authority and Mokonyane of extending the
board’s service by six months in February, 2015 after its term had expired, and again in July the same year for an indefinite period.
Mokonyane initially attempted to appeal Judge Mbatha’s ruling, but withdrew earlier this month.
Speaking at the farewell event on Tuesday at the Umfolozi Casino Resort in Empangeni, Mhlathuze Interim Chief Executive Mthokozisi Duze thanked the board for their guidance.
‘I applaud you for effortlessly carrying out the mandate set before you by the Minister (of Water and Sanitation) to drive the organisation’s strategic objectives, monitoring operational and financial performances and ensuring capital expenditure was never compromised.
‘Though we bid farewell to you, I can assure you that as employees of Mhlathuze Water we will continue to drive the vision you set before us so that the organisation can truly be the regional water and waste water service provider of choice for all stakeholders in the water value chain.’
Duze said the process of appointing a new board is currently underway and is being handled by Minister Mokonyane.
ALSO READ: Minister withdraws water board appeal
