Experienced administrator and senior leader of the ANC, Cyril Xaba, who was elected mayor of eThekwini metropolis on Wednesday, has wasted no time promising to change the misfortunes of the only metro in KwaZulu-Natal.
Addressing councillors, business formations and eThekwini residents shortly after being sworn in during a special council meeting, he announced sweeping changes in the city’s governance and administration.
At the heart of Xaba’s plan is to ensure that municipal workers live up to the expectations of the rate payers. He vowed a zero tolerance for laziness and stealing from the public.
Zero tolerance for corruption
“We must get this city working again. [The municipality] cannot betray the trust bestowed on us by our people. Those given responsibilities must perform accordingly, without any excuses. There will be no tolerance for those who pursue their personal interests,” said Xaba.
He assumes the position left vacant by Mxolisi Kaunda in June. This after his party redeployed him to the national council of provinces.
Xaba’s election comes in the wake of intense lobbying and jostling inside the ANC. The party’s eThekwini region was reportedly opposed to his election. Among the names touted for the key post were former police minister Bheki Cele. Also ex-KZN premier Nomusa Dube and ex-Thekwini mayor James Nxumalo. The latter is also SACP secretary in KwaZulu-Natal.
List of service delivery priorities
According to Xaba, on the list of priorities was dealing with water woes. Also improving infrastructure and making eThekwini the cleanest city. And ensuring the safety of eThekwini citizens.
Xaba also wants to improve investor confidence in the metro. The metropolis controls over R60-billion in budget. Ridding the metropolis of corruption was also high on his agenda. This through the strengthening of accountability mechanisms
“Working collectively, we will review areas that have not performed well. And we will implement new approaches. We will ensure that those entrusted with the responsibilities are responsive,” he said.
Xaba, 57, inherits a metropolis besieged by severe service delivery challenges. Also high levels of crimes such as murder and drugs.
Prior to his election, he was on the parliamentary portfolio committee on defence and military veterans. He also chaired the ANC’s committee on legal and constitutional affairs.
Wealth of experience
Recently, he was heading the parliamentary ad hoc committee task of finding the new public protector. He holds a master’s degree in law. His experience dates back to the first democratic parliament. There he was a member of the KZN provincial legislature.
Xaba served as an advisor to the premier of KwaZulu-Natal in 2009. In 2014, he was deployed as MEC for agriculture and rural development.
Sunday World understands that under the new dispensation, the DA will head the key infrastructure portfolio. The IFP will also be rewarded. NFP, on the other hand, is already a beneficiary of the deputy mayor seat. The parties are governing KZN through the so-called government of provincial unity.
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