PIETERMARITZBURG, 19 AUGUST 2025 – The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has officially appointed Dr Michael Sutcliffe as the Governance Expert to support the uMsunduzi Local Municipality. This appointment, made in terms of Section 154 of the Constitution, is a crucial step towards implementing a comprehensive turnaround strategy for the municipality.
Dr. Sutcliffe was formally introduced as the new appointee during today’s meeting between the MEC and the uMsunduzi Executive Committee of Council. With extensive experience in local government, Dr. Sutcliffe previously served for over nine years as the eThekwini Municipal Manager and has also worked as a Local Government Expert, supporting municipalities across the province.
His appointment comes after a sustained outcry over deteriorating Municipal Infrastructure and a sharp decline in business confidence in the Pietermaritzburg CBD.
Dr Sutcliffe has successfully completed a major service-delivery turnaround in Ethekwini Muncipality over the past 12 months.
His immediate task is the implementation of a turnaround plan, with a specific and urgent focus on restoring service delivery, strengthening good governance, restoring investor confidence and ensuring sound financial management.
In his address to the Council, the MEC emphasised the collective responsibility of all councillors to support Dr Sutcliffe in his critical role. He underscored that this support is essential to benefit the broader uMsunduzi community and all ratepayers. The MEC also called upon the councillors to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability to the residents they serve.
All Exco members welcomed Dr. Sutcliffe’s appointment, expressing full support for what they view as a timely and necessary intervention. They believe this move will significantly strengthen the municipality’s ability to tackle its current challenges.
The MEC was accompanied on the visit by the Acting Head of Department, Dr Krishnan. This appointment underscores the department’s commitment to ensuring that the uMsunduzi Local Municipality is placed on a sustainable path to recovery and effective service delivery.