The Municipal Manager is the head of administration, leading all Umzumbe Officials and fully responsible for the day-
Part of the duties of the Municipal Manager’s Office is to ensure that delivery of services to our communities is improved constantly. In affirming Umzumbe’s commitment to service excellence, the Office of the Municipal Manager ensures implementation of Batho Pele Principles to intensify organisational culture on service delivery and to foster appropriate behaviours and attitudes amongst staff.
Umzumbe’s MM office is the catalyst for social transformation and service delivery. While Political Office bearers set a clear vision, direction, developmental strategies and policies for the institution to speed up development and social transformation, the Office of the Municipal Manager exists to oversee execution of those strategies and policies, ensuring that set visions and missions are attained within the set time frame.
The office of the MM further caters for the provision of Internal Audit services to the Municipality, ensuring that all Municipal Operations are performed in line with existing legal framework governing the Local Government. Umzumbe’s internal Audit service form part of the shared services agreement with the District Municipality, executing Audit in terms of the Audit plan and the charter.
Communications, Mayoralty & Youth Development
Main functions of the department are to plan, develop and implement strategies and projects in order to achieve a co-ordinated internal and external communication process, support the administrative functioning of the Mayor’s Office.
Public Participation
Is administratively placed in the office of the Municipal Manager under the directorate of Communications, Mayoralty and Youth Development and politically placed in the Office of the Speaker. The Office of the Speaker has the Constitutional mandate of ensuring compliance in the Council and Council Committees, and further ensures that Council meetings are conducted in accordance with the rules and order of the Council. The unit ensures efficient participatory democracy, development and transformation in the municipality, through establishment of the Ward Committees.
Other functions of the Unit include the following:
- Establishes processes and procedures with regard to notifying the community about municipal issues and how they must submit their comments (section 17(2)(b) of the Municipal Systems Act)
- Coordinate municipal events.
- Develop policies relevant to public participation.
- Development of ward based plans.
Special Programmes Unit
Deals with people with special needs and vulnerable groups, namely: people living with HIV/AIDS, Disabilities, Gender (men and women) Sector, Senior Citizens, Rights of a child and others such as Civil Society, Religious Sector and Traditional Healers. Special Programmes Unit’s role is to advocate the programmes mentioned above.
Legal Services
Main functions of the department are to plan, develop and implement strategies and projects in order to achieve a co-ordinated internal and external communication process, support the administrative functioning of the Mayor’s Office.
Development Planning
Functions are to drive the strategic planning of the municipality, spatial planning, Building Control and Land Use Management, Geographic Information Systems and Performance Management System.
Local Economic Development (LED)
Responsible for ensuring economic growth within the LM through the assistance of Crafters, SMME’s and Co-ops. It is further required to ensure for the implementation of the Local Economic Development Strategy in alignment with the Municipal, provisional and national goals.
Internal Audit
- Developing a flexible annual audit schedule and long-term audit plan using an appropriate risk- based methodology, in consultation with Management and for approval by the Audit Committee .
- implementing approved annual audit schedule(s), including as appropriate any special tasks or projects requested by Management and approved by the Audit Committee;
- Maintaining a professional audit staff with sufficient knowledge, skills and experience to meet requirements; and
- Issuing periodic (quarterly) reports to the Audit Committee and Management summarizing the results of audit activities and the benefits derived;
- The Internal Audit function will comply with the International Standards for Professional Practice of Internal Auditing as set by the Institute of Internal Auditors'
The responsibilities of the Legal Services Unit are:
- To provide vibrant, effective and professional legal service to Council, management and staff in the discharge of their responsibilities;
- Provide legal advice in the formulation policies and procedures to ensure that the Municipality complies with all relevant legislation as well as its Constitutional mandate;
- Provide advice on labour matters;
- Issuing periodic (quarterly) reports to the Audit Committee and Management summarizing the results of audit activities and the benefits derived;
- Enhancing organisational efficiency by assisting in establishing a corporate governance compliant environment that enables the Municipality to achieve its objectives.
