The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini called for a transparent report on the number of officials under suspension, progress on disciplinary action and the monthly cost to ratepayers’ whist officials remained home on full pay, during a full council sitting on Monday 30 September 2024.
The DA singled out five officials as an example that included a Deputy City manager, two Heads of departments, one Acting deputy head and one acting manager by suggesting that they might be costing the ratepayers as much as R 700 000 per month, with absolutely no return on investment.
It was further insinuated that some who have been on suspension for months, have to date either not been charged, or where investigation outcomes did not meet their superior’s expectations, renewed investigations were initiated at further cost to the ratepayer.
This sometimes results in instability within various departments where individuals might find themselves in rotational acting positions yet failing to take responsibility for previous decisions.
Examples such as incomplete projects, late submission of tenders, budget reprioritization and service delivery shortfalls were made.
It is suspected that the monthly cost associated with officials on suspension might be as high as R 1.8 million per month or in excess of R21.5 million annually.
In addition to its request during the council sitting, the DA will also formally introduce the item at the next sitting of the executive committee.