Entire Document - Chris Hani District Municipality

1.4 OVERVIEW OF THE MUNICIPALITY
Mpilo Mbambisa
Municipal Manager
1.4.1 INTRODUCTION
The year under review has been quite challenging with the National and Provincial
elections choosing a new leadership with the following key priorities of the ruling party:
• Creating decent jobs
• Rural development
• Health
• Education
• Fighting Crime and Corruption.
Our district was also honoured by the visit of the National Council of Provinces in their programme “Taking Parliament
to the People” and they spent the whole week interacting with our communities. Our district celebrated Chris Hani
month during April with various service delivery launches across the district and a closing ceremony at Sabalele,
Chris Hani’s birth place. The achievements during the 2008/09 financial year will be highlighted in terms of the five
key areas of the local government strategic agenda which are aligned to our scorecard as follows:
• Municipal Transformation and Institutional Development
• Service Delivery and Infrastructure
• Local Economic Development
• Municipal Financial Viability and Management
• Good Governance and Public Participation.
1.4.2 MUNICIPAL TRANSFORMATION AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Our staff complement increased to 418 as a result of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry water services staff
who were transferred to the district and 33 new appointments. A total of 146 employees received training as part of
skills development in line with the Workplace Skills Plan. Some of the training was facilitated by SALGA and Department
of Local Government and Traditional Affairs. As part of capacity building 24 employees received assistance through the
Study Assistance Bursary Scheme to pursue further studies in Engineering, Finance and Administration.
We also assisted 5 learners with practical experience in the workplace which is a requirement in their studies. 10
internal audit interns were also recruited and placed in all our local municipalities as part of our shared services project.
As part of strengthening governance in the institution, 8 policies and 7 By-laws were developed and adopted by
Council. We purchased 12 new vehicles including Mobile Clinics and Fire Services vehicles which have been handed
over to Local Municipalities.
1.4.3 SERVICE DELIVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure
The District Municipality continues to eliminate water and sanitation backlogs, 18 135 household were provided with water,
12 436 households provided with sanitation and 523 bucket toilets were eradicated. A total of R168 million (Municipal
Infrastructure Grant Allocation) was spent before the end of the financial year. Two major schemes -- Machubeni and
Whittlesea Water Treatment Works -- were refurbished with the assistance of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
The Water Conservation and Demand Management study was implemented at Lukhanji and Emalahleni local municipalities
through the installation of bulk water meters and repairing of leaks. Amatola Water continued their support in Water Services
Provision in our 4 rural municipalities and the 48-hour turn-around time has been achieved in most reported cases. The
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