KNYSNA NEWS - New Knysna municipal manager Lulamile Mapholoba said at a media briefing last week that he was "driven by action, discipline, and moral and ethical leadership".

He said he had earlier attended a council meeting where "all political parties pledged their support" for him.

"We dealt with critical issues, and we are going to work hard to ensure we place the municipality at another level - to reclaim the glories of the past."

'Boost morale'

Mapholoba, who has 20 years' experience in the local government sector, said one of his immediate goals was to "boost the morale of staff - one of my priorities is to deal with their grievances".

He said officials dealing with consequence management must "know why they are employed - to deal with a number of issues, with Section 154 interventions".

He had met Graham Paulse, the head of the Department of Local Government in the Western Cape, the week before, and "I pledged to work with the Western Cape government".

'Competent team'

"I've got a competent team (and) we intend to meet The Accountability Group. We don't need to go to court to deal with issues."

Public interest association The Accountability Group recently launched a High Court application to force the national minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, to intervene and dissolve the Knysna council.

'Defend rates policy'

On sewage flowing into the Knysna Estuary, Mapholoba said "we're looking at the directive issued, we need to respond to it".

He said regarding the municipality's rates dispute with Grey Elephant Investments, "we defend our rates policy, we believe our billing is correct. We have a responsibility in terms of the law to collect what is due to us. We must resolve matters of dispute through mediation".

'Looking into lease'

Mapholoba also said the municipality's controversial lease agreement with Knysna Mall was being "looked into".

"Our legal people are looking into that through the office of the chief financial manager. If we can't agree, then the courts will have to come in."

'Have to reduce budget'

The municipality's budget needed to be significantly reduced.

"We have to work on our budget, it's unfunded," he said.

"We have to reduce our budget by R60 million. We are invoking cost-cutting measures to stop us living beyond our means.

"We must ensure the municipality is run as a business - that there is a return on investment."

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