IMATU COMMENTS ON THE APPOINTMENT OF MR DANNY JORDAAN

The Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) has noted the decision to appoint Danny Jordaan as Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Jordaan will replace Ben Fihla and this will be the fourth mayoral appointment in six years.

“As an independent trade union organising in local government, we are less concerned with which individual is appointed as mayor and more concerned with whether that individual is performing his or her job correctly. It is no secret that the Municipality is facing huge administrative challenges and is failing to effectively deliver basic services to some communities. The appointment of a new mayor must bring systemic change if the Municipality wishes to correct its current failings in the long-term,” commented Cathi Botes, IMATU Eastern Cape Regional Manager.

IMATU believes that in order to effect positive change, the newly appointed Mayor will need to provide decisive leadership, address dysfunctional aspects of the administration and ensure that adequate vetting and verifying of qualifications takes place, prior to the appointment of new officials.
IMATU would also like to see a concerted effort from Municipal Management to negotiate uniform conditions of service and upskill current municipal employees instead of continuing the growing trend of outsourcing services.

“Our members are directly affected by the decisions and actions taken by the Mayor and his senior management team. IMATU is committed to achieving social transformation through a sustainable local government however, the commitment of our members on the ground must be matched by decisive implementation and political will at the top,” concluded Botes.