Overview

The “Office of the Municipal Manager” refers to the administrative department within a municipality led by the Municipal Manager, who is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the municipality, ensuring efficient service delivery, managing finances, and acting as the link between the elected council and the administrative staff, all while adhering to local government legislation and policies set by the council.

The administrative component is aligned with the five National Key Performance Areas in the following way:

Municipal Transformation and Institutional Development:

Office of the Municipal Manager; Human Resource Services within the Office of the Municipal Manager

Basic Service Delivery:

Director: Community Services, Directorate: Infrastructure Services

Local Economic Development:

Directorate: Infrastructure Services, Director: Community Services

Municipal Financial Viability and Management:

Director: Finance and all other Directorates

Good Governance and Public Participation:

Office of the Municipal Manager and all other Directorates

In terms of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) Section 60 the Municipal Manager of a municipality is the Accounting Officer of that municipality for the purposes of the Act and must provide guidance on a wide range of functions.

In accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) Section 61 (1) a Municipal Manager must:

“(a) act with fidelity, honesty, integrity and in the best interest of the municipality in managing its financial affairs;
(b) disclose to the municipal council and mayor all material facts which are available to the accounting officer or reasonably discoverable, and which in any way might influence the decisions or actions of the council or mayor;
(c) seek, within the sphere of influence of the accounting officer, to prevent any prejudice to the financial interest of the municipality.”

By law, a Municipal Manager is the head of the administration as well as the accounting officer of Karoo Hoogland Municipality and provides the link between the political and administrative arms of the Municipality.

Section 66 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) states the following:

“66(1) a municipal manager within a policy framework, determine by the municipal council and subject to any applicable legislation, must
(a) develop a staff establishment for the municipality and submit the staff establishment to the municipal council for approval.”

A municipal manager is, amongst others, responsible:

• for the formation and development of an economical, effective, efficient and accountable administration;
• to ensure that the municipal “machine” operates efficiently, that the organisational structure is able to perform the various tasks and exercise the necessary controls;
• to fulfil a leadership role in the administration; this is of utmost importance to influence the actions of staff and to inspire and persuade them to work together to realise the Municipality’s goals;
• for the implementation of the Municipality’s IDP, and the monitoring of progress with implementation of the plan; and
• for the financial responsibilities as accounting officer as determined by the MFMA.

The Municipal Manager is the chief adviser of the Municipality and must advise the political structures and political office-bearers of the Municipality. The Municipal Manager must see to the execution of the decisions of the political structures and political office-bearers of the Municipality. The Municipal Manager must facilitate participation by the local community in the affairs of the Municipality and must also develop and maintain a system whereby community satisfaction with municipal services is assessed.

Further to this, my office has several strategic functions. These include:

1. Internal Audit;
2. Performance Management and Risk Management;
3. Strategic Management;
4. Good Governance and Compliance;
5. Integrated Development Planning (IDP); and
6. Committee Services and Support.

The Municipal Manager’s Office strives to enhance the relationship between the political and administrative centres of the council, promoting governance mechanisms and innovations in the areas of communication, strategic planning, information and knowledge management.