Lockdown: new Municipal Manager of ELM takes control

Already burdened by a huge Eskom debt crisis not of his own making and seizure of ELM assets by the Sheriff even before the Corona virus disaster struck South Africa and Emfuleni in full force, Lucky Leseane has now seemingly stabilised the reeling municipality on several key fronts.
Leseane told Vaalweekblad this week that all Municipal Managers including himself were expected to meet with SALGA (South African Local Government Association) on Friday in Johannesburg to obtain policy clarity and coordinate all aspects of lockdown implementation.
In two short weeks, experts and observers say Leseane has performed organisational “miracles” to allow ELM to mount a credible Corona virus and lockdown response in the short time since taking office late in February, including:
* Negotiated a halt to court-ordered asset seizures for Eskom debt and the return of seized ELM assets vital to ensuring administrative and continuity of utility supply such as water and electricity and paying Eskom R50 million
* Developing a number of affordable and sustainable ELM payment plan options for Eskom to consider in record time and before deadline to stabilise relationships and supply by the bulk utility provider (still under consideration by Eskom)
* Engaged with Rand Water to avert a water supply crisis
* Created an initial first-response Corona virus framework long before lockdown and
* Established a Rapid Response Team at ELM to manage the present crisis situation
The Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce (GTCoC) has welcomed and praised Leseane’s decisive actions in stabilising ELM and called on all stakeholders in Emfuleni to co-operate and support him and his team fully during the lockdown crisis.
“Under Leseane’s predecessor ELM hit rock bottom on all fronts but now it is time for all stakeholders to take hands with the new Municipal Manager and his team to meet the lockdown challenge and place the municipality on a new trajectory.
“Mr Leseane has the full support of the GTCoC and I, amongst others, will make myself available to play a direct role in assisting him and his team if required,” said GTCoC CEO Klippies Kritzinger.
Leseane told Vaalweekblad this week that the pre-Corona virus crisis of Eskom debt was being successfully handled, and an action framework to deal with the latest challenge of lockdown implementation on all levels was rapidly being created by ELM and all Gauteng local authorities.
Leseane appealed to the businesses and residents of Emfuleni to co-operate fully and have understanding for ELM’s massive task during the lockdown crisis and beyond.
A key component of Leseane’s strategy is to cut all unnecessary spending at ELM and to increase its revenue stream wherever possible, he said.
Asked whether ELM would offer businesses and residents financial relief in terms of postponing or halting monthly account payments for utilities and also a possible a rates and taxes holiday, Leseane said:
“I am unfortunately unable to address any credit control aspects at this early stage and must await the meeting on Friday with all Gauteng Municipal Managers as well as take direction from national government in the form of COGTA (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) national Ministry.
“But allow me to assure both the public and the media that my intention is to keep you as fully informed as possible on an ongoing basis as soon as we as ELM have policy clarity on all the many and varied pressing issues of lockdown,” said Leseane. But Leseane gave the assurance he was giving top priority to ensuring that water and electricity supplies to Emfuleni were uninterrupted in this time of national crisis.
ELM itself would operate on a skeleton staff during the crisis whilst as many employees as possible would work from home.