ETHEKWINI METRO IFP WELCOMES NEW MUNICIPAL CONTRACTS

June 1, 2006

The IFP in the eThekwini Metro Council welcomes the national cabinet's draft regulations to control the employment contracts of municipal managers and other senior officials. The new regulations will also limit and cap performance bonuses.

"The public outcry was overwhelming enough. The eThekwini city manager's remuneration and especially his annual bonus has been a political headache for a number of years," said Councillor Thembi Nzuza who leads the IFP in the eThekwini Council.

According to the draft regulations approved by the national cabinet, the new employment contracts will limit municipal managers' tenure to five years subject to a probation period of one year.

"The IFP specifically welcomes that the new contracts will give a clearer job description to city managers. We hope this will encourage greater transparency within the council and its executive committee," said Nzuza.

The draft regulations will likewise limit bonuses to outstanding performance on a progressive scale ranging from 5 percent. The bonuses will be capped at 14 percent.

"The IFP has long criticised the massive annual bonus for the eThekwini city manager. We were never mollified by the city manager's decision to donate his bonus to charity, since this was only bringing him publicity at the taxpayers' expense. The real issue has always been whether or not the city manager and other senior officials were entitled to bonuses or not. This is a matter the IFP hopes the new employment contracts will clarify," said Nzuza.

Contact:
Councillor Thembi Nzuza, 083 682 6702