KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has appointed a high-level task team to spearhead efforts to improve service delivery and address the longstanding issues plaguing Msunduzi Municipality, the capital city of the province. The newly formed group, which includes governance expert Ravi Pillay and provincial director-general Dr. Nonhlanhla Mkhize, aims to bring much-needed transformation to the troubled municipality.
Political analyst Professor Lesiba Teffo suggested that the Msunduzi councillors should look to the governance models of Democratic Alliance (DA)-run municipalities, such as neighbouring UMngeni Municipality, for guidance on how to achieve efficient service delivery. He commended the IFP’s performance in managing its municipalities, particularly its ability to combat corruption by appointing capable and qualified leaders.
Teffo expressed confidence that, under Ntuli’s leadership, struggling municipalities could be turned around if the right people were placed in key positions. “Whenever the DA governs a municipality, it governs well, and even in KwaZulu-Natal, we have a mayor like Chris Pappas,” Teffo stated, noting the importance of strong political leadership in municipal governance.
The announcement of the task team comes after years of poor service delivery in Msunduzi, which had seen the municipality placed under administration due to political and administrative dysfunction. Although the administration was partially lifted last year, the city’s performance continued to lag behind. DA leader Chris Pappas highlighted that while budget constraints affected many municipalities, Msunduzi’s core issue was poor leadership.
“The problem is not just financial—it’s a political and administrative one,” Pappas said. “The city needs new political leadership, and those responsible for the mismanagement must be held accountable.”
While Premier Ntuli’s task force is seen as a positive step, Pappas believes the current intervention may not adequately address the root causes of the problems in Msunduzi. Ntuli’s approach is a reflection of the Presidential eThekwini model, which was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa last year to clean up eThekwini Municipality.
In the wake of these developments, Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla has taken steps to improve the city’s cleanliness by demolishing illegal structures and shutting down unregistered businesses in the CBD. Ntuli has observed signs of improvement in service delivery in the city center, which he considers a sign of progress.
The newly appointed task team will report to the provincial cabinet quarterly and will also work alongside local councillors to identify remaining challenges. While Msunduzi has been prioritized due to its importance as the capital city, Ntuli hinted that similar interventions could be extended to other municipalities facing similar challenges.
However, the EFF’s Mongezi Twala cautioned that the IFP-led municipalities, including parts of Msunduzi, also require urgent attention. “The focus should not only be on Msunduzi but should also include IFP-run municipalities, which are also collapsing,” said Twala.
As the task team begins its work, all eyes are on whether this intervention will bring lasting change to Msunduzi and provide a model for transforming local governments across KwaZulu-Natal.
