EMALAHLENI – Newly elected Emalahleni mayor Vusi Nhlapho’s bold approach may perhaps be what the doctor ordered for the municipality, crippled by corruption, which has badly affected service delivery. Nhlapho, who took over the reins following Leah Mabuza’s resignation, has presented himself as a beacon of hope for residents yearning for positive change. In his first address to the media after his election, Nhlapho promised a hands-on approach to transforming the city. ” We are going out of the offices. I don’t want to be known as a ceremonial mayor who conducts interviews in offices,” he stated. ” Media houses, should you need any interviews, you will find me on the streets wearing safety boots and overalls. That is what is needed in Emalahleni currently. We are going to be practical in our approach.”
He further committed to addressing crime and drug hotspots, declaring, ” We are going to make sure that we conduct operations at all municipal buildings hijacked by Nigerians and where criminal and prostitution activities are taking place. We are going down there and will confront them head-on, pound for pound. We need to utilise those buildings that belong to the municipality.”
Despite Nhlapho’s energetic promises, Emalahleni has seen similar declarations from previous leaders. Leah Mabuza, who was elected mayor in June of the previous year, also vowed to tackle corruption and restore the municipality. Her tenure, however, was short-lived, as she was soon moved to a position in the Mpumalanga provincial legislature. Mabuza’s predecessor, Conny Nkalitshana, who took over from Linah Malatjie—who, along with her husband Esau Malatjie, died in a tragic accident on January 3, 2022—established herself as the town’s new ‘sheriff’.
Nhlapho’s challenge now is to demonstrate that his enthusiasm and determination can bring lasting change. His immediate priorities include improving access to clean water. ” I commit to the entire leadership collective that we will not rest until the people of Emalahleni have adequate access to clean, potable water,” he promised. Currently, the municipality faces a daily shortfall of 60 mega litres, providing only 120 mega litres instead of the required 180 mega litres.
Another key focus for Nhlapho is reducing the high unemployment rate, which stands at around 33% according to the latest labour survey, with youth unemployment at a staggering 44%. ” Calling on us to make job creation the central pillar of the municipality’s development role,” he said. Additionally, he aims to improve the municipality’s revenue collection rate, which is currently below the acceptable norm of 95%. “We need to tackle the culture of non-payment,” he added.
Nhlapho also outlined “quick wins” he plans to achieve within the next 100 days, including improving revenue collection, reducing distribution losses, and supporting revenue enhancement strategies. He emphasised the need to address the top 30 creditors, involve internal stakeholders, and monitor critical reports such as the AG Action Plan, Internal Audit Report, and Risk Register Report.
