The Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, has noted concerns raised publicly by organised labour regarding governance, operational challenges, labour relations matters and service delivery conditions within the Metro and released this statement.
The Executive Mayor acknowledges that Nelson Mandela Bay continues to operate under an extremely difficult environment characterised by:
- infrastructure backlogs,
- severe flood related pressures,
- ageing municipal assets,
- financial constraints,
- rising
- vandalism of public infrastructure and
- historical institutional instability.
Despite these challenges, the administration remains fully committed to stabilising governance, improving service delivery performance and restoring public confidence in the institution.
“The concerns raised by workers cannot be dismissed because municipal employees remain the backbone of service delivery in our communities. Their safety, working conditions and operational support remain a priority for this administration,” said Executive Mayor Lobishe.
The Executive Mayor said the Metro has already initiated several interventions aimed at improving institutional stability, operational efficiency and governance oversight.
These interventions include:
- The implementation of a municipal stabilisation and recovery programme focused on governance, infrastructure recovery and financial improvement
- Ongoing engagements with the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and relevant sector departments regarding institutional support and leadership stability
- Processes aimed at strengthening senior management capacity and improving organisational functionality
- The acceleration of fleet repairs, operational equipment availability and infrastructure rehabilitation following recent flood related damages
- Increased focus on municipal facility security following continued vandalism affecting depots, community facilities and customer service centres
- Ongoing engagement with organised labour through recognised collective bargaining and labour relations structures
- The strengthening of consequence management processes in line with applicable labour legislation and municipal governance frameworks
The Executive Mayor further confirmed that the Municipality has prioritised interventions to improve worker safety and operational conditions across critical service delivery departments.
“We accept that there are operational areas requiring urgent improvement. What is important is that this administration is not in denial. We are confronting these challenges directly and implementing practical interventions to rebuild institutional capability and improve service delivery outcomes for residents,” said the Executive Mayor.
The mayor also called for all stakeholders, including political leadership, organised labour, management, communities and oversight structures, to work collectively to protect the stability and reputation of Nelson Mandela Bay.
“At a time when our city is rebuilding from multiple pressures, including recent disasters and economic challenges, we must place the interests of residents and service delivery above political contestation and institutional conflict. Nelson Mandela Bay requires unity of purpose, accountability and focused leadership,” she said.
The Executive Mayor reiterated that governance matters, labour relations processes and disciplinary matters must continue to be managed within the framework of applicable legislation, collective agreements, due process and fairness.
The Municipality remains committed to transparent engagement with organised labour and all stakeholders as part of building a capable, responsive and developmental local government institution.
“Residents must be assured that this administration is at work. We remain focused on stabilising the institution, restoring public confidence, supporting workers and improving the quality of services delivered to our communities,” concluded Executive Mayor Lobishe.
