NEW uMhlathuze Mayor, Cllr Mduduzi Mhlongo, says he is up for the challenge.
In an interview with the Zululand Observer, Mhlongo, who hails from KwaDlangezwa, says he is committed to ensure the community receives accelerated delivery of basic services.
ZO: Some critics view your appointment as the Mayor of the biggest municipality in the district as premature
Mhlongo: Not at all. The ANC believes in my capabilities and that’s why they recommended that I be elected as Mayor.
You don’t have to be in your late 60s to be considered for mayoral positions in the ANC.
I believe I have what it takes to deliver to the people of this city. I’m not new in politics, and I have served in the structures of the ANC as a member of the Youth League and as Chairperson of the Youth League in the Musa Dladla region between 2008 and 2010.
I have also served as the Chairperson of the ANC in the uMhlathuze Sub-Region. While studying law at the University of Zululand, I also served as the Chairperson of SASCO.
ZO: How come you joined this municipality in the first place?
Mhlongo: It’s been an amazing journey. I arrived here in 2000 as an Administration Officer, then became Manager in the Office of the Speaker.
After that I was appointed as Manager in Public Participation and also acted as Deputy Municipal Manager for Corporate Services.
From there I made a move from administration to politics and was appointed Speaker in 2014 following the resignation of Cllr Mvuseni Mnqayi.
Now I’m here as the political head of the municipality.
That is my greatest advantage because I’m familiar with most processes here. I know what is to be done, both at the level of politics and administration.
ZO: What needs to be corrected?
Mhlongo: Long-term planning is what has been lacking and this needs to be done in line with the National Development Plan.
We also want to include the development of a conference centre. We are trying to secure investors to address the water shortages. We are focused on local economic development, including revitalising the township economy.
ZO: Through the media, critics have had a lot of negatives things to say about the municipality. How do you intend changing that?
Mhlongo: On the contrary, we have been in media for the right reasons. We have been winning awards left, right and centre.
May I remind you that we received clean audit reports for 2013 and 2014.
We were named as the best municipality for the provision of basic services, best municipality for infrastructure and technology innovation and we were runners-up in the national Greenest Municipality awards for the past two years. We also received the Most Credible IDP award for 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 – the list is endless.
ZO: The IFP has challenged you to push for the release of the report dealing with alleged corrupt activities at the municipality, in which former Mayor Elphas Mbatha acted as a whistle blower. Are you going to do this?
Mhlongo: Of course we will, but not because the IFP wants it, but all of us as Councillors would want to know the findings of this report.
I can tell you that our Municipal Manager has written to COGTA requesting the release of the report.
But we are concerned about the conduct of some individuals who behave as if the report is out already. What if the report comes back and there is nothing suggesting corrupt activities at the municipality?
