Durban - Deputy city manager for Governance and International Relations in the eThekwini Municipality, Sipho Cele, has been appointed as the interim city manager following a decision to place current city manager, Sipho Nzuza, on special leave.
eThekwini spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela, said Cele will hold the fort for two weeks. He also clarified that Nzuza had been placed on special leave as per a decision undertaken by the city's executive council on Friday. This comes after Nzuza was arrested on Tuesday and subsequently appeared in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court. He was granted R50 000 bail.
In Friday's meeting, opposition parties moved to have Nzuza suspended while the court proceedings continued. While the motion was put forward, Nzuza has seven days to respond and another council meeting will be called.
Mayisela said Cele was a seasoned administrator that will ensure that the city lives up to its constitutional mandate of providing quality service.
"We would like to assure the residents of eThekwini Municipality that in the interim, service delivery will not be adversely affected. During the course of the special leave, the council is requesting to be given space while internal legal processes are unfolding," Mayisela said.