KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has expressed grave disappointment at the criticism of municipal governance in the province, chiefly focused on Msunduzi, voiced by its former Senior Official Lionel Pienaar.
Pienaar served at KZN Cogta in various Senior Management positions for decades, even during the time predating the democratic government instituted in 1994. He was a Chief Director since 1996 and also acted as the Deputy Director General for the Local Government Branch. During this time one of his responsibilities was the management of the Section 139 Interventions. He retired from the department earlier this year and is currently a candidate for the Umgungundlovu District council for the Inkatha Freedom Party.
“It is surreal to watch Pienaar use his new platform as an opposition candidate in the upcoming local government elections to criticise issues in municipal governance which he himself was directing for the longest time and thus had ample opportunity to resolve during his time in government,” said KZN Cogta’s Head of Department Thando Tubane.
“If anyone knows how much time and energy KZN Cogta is devoting to ensuring that the province’s municipalities function optimally, it should be Pienaar given his exceedingly long tenure in the public service. His criticism is disingenuous and entirely self-serving,” said Tubane.
KZN Cogta wishes the IFP – Pienaar’s current political home – the best of luck using his expertise in local government which clearly failed to make the sort of difference in the province’s municipalities Pienaar is now so ardently calling for as a candidate.
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