BUNGLING BY METRO COSTS BOTH A GREAT ADMINISTRATOR AND CITY COFFERS
The news that Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has been ordered to pay former city manager Dr Lindiwe Msengana-Ndlela a substantial court settlement, completely vindicates both the former City Manager and also the DA's position throughout this unfortunate scandalous affair.
The metro has once again shot itself in the foot by choosing to defend yet another weak legal case which had very little prospect of success. The fact that the city did not call a single witness in defense of their court action is noteworthy in itself.
The consequent award of a R3.1-million settlement plus interest for damages, along with a further instruction that the city pay all of Msengana-Ndlela's costs, is indicative of the shambolic state of our metro. Sadly the cost for this spectacular lapse will once again be borne by the rate paying public.
Dr Msengana-Ndlela arrived at City Hall with an impeccable reputation. She arrived with a spring in her step and a steadfast commitment to establishing a clean and transparent administration. No sooner had she settled in when it became immediately apparent that there were those equally committed to seeing her fail and who would stop at nothing, even to the point of making not too unsubtle threats against her and her personal safety.
Sadly, not even the MEC at the time made any meaningful effort to assist her in what was always likely to be an impossible task.