Durban, KwaZulu-Natal — The eThekwini Municipality has announced significant changes to its top management structure, introducing new Executive Directors in a move aimed at boosting service delivery across the city. This reshuffle will see all current Deputy City Managers, Heads of Departments, and Deputy Heads of Departments replaced.
The new appointments were formally revealed by City Manager Mbhele at a lengthy meeting with affected employees at Lion’s Match on May 27, where letters of employment were handed over.
City Manager Mbhele explained that this major restructuring is a direct response to the Municipal Staff Regulations, issued in September 2021 by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). These regulations recommend optimal operating models for various municipal categories, aiming to standardise staff structures nationwide. Mbhele stated: “EThekwini Municipality is piloting the prototype for a Metro Council so that we are able deliver better on our mandate as local government.”
Despite the extensive changes, Mbhele has provided assurance to all employees that “No one is going to lose their jobs.” He emphasised that “with so many vacancies at a Section 56 level, there is no possibility of people losing jobs.”
The confirmed appointments for the new Executive Directors include:
• Sipho Cele: Office of the City Manager
• Vusi Mazibuko: Community Services
• Kim Makhathini: Corporate Services
• Sandile Mnguni: Finance
• Lihle Phewa: Municipal Planning
However, the key positions of City Operations Management, Technical Services, and Public Safety currently remain vacant.
Mbhele confirmed that the municipality has now aligned its Executive Directors with the newly approved organisational chart and will proceed with advertising and filling the remaining critical vacant posts.
