HOD MLOKOTHI COMMENDS STAFF FOR ACHIEVING 98,3% IN FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE AND 100% IN NON-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Last week, the Senior Management Service (SMS) of the Department, led by its Head of Department (HoD) Mr. Vuyo Mlokothi (pictured left), convened in Port Alfred for a one-day quarterly review session. This session provided a structured platform to reflect on achievements, address challenges, and set a clear direction for the department’s future, writes Ms Thando Sonjica Opening the proceedings, Mr Mlokothi said the end-of-financial-year is the time to assess performance against approved targets and key indicators.
“This is the time to ensure accountability and alignment with institutional objectives. I commend SMS members and staff for their invaluable contributions towards the attainment of our goals,” said Mr Mlokothi. Highlighting the department’s good performance in the 2025/26 financial year, Mr. Mlokothi said the cumulative budget expenditure of 98.3% and 100% achievement in non-financial performance was “highly commendable.” He also noted that the audit process has commenced and urged SMS members to make evidence readily available. Mr. Mlokothi said recently he visited the Chris Hani and Amathole District Support Centres (DSCs) to interact directly with staff, listen to them, understand their workload, and assess their overall wellness.
“I picked up that not much is being communicated to staff in the DSCs. For example, employees seem not to be clear about contracting arrangements, migration process to the new structure, and empowerment. I felt that middle management is being left behind. Some years back we had an engagement programme with Deputy Directors. I think we need to reignite that programme,” he noted. Mr. Mlokothi added that he had received a detailed report from the Change Management Team, which highlighted some concerns raised by staff and that “leaves so much to be desired.” The report revealed that some Chief Directors do not convene staff meetings. “I will attend Chief Directorate meetings to get a sense of what is being discussed to strengthen communication at all leadership levels. I will do more interactions with Chief Directors as I have discovered that some Directors are left behind. I do not know how Chief Directors do things and to what extent they are delegating the work to their subordinates. I will check the meeting minutes and whether executive management decisions get filtered down to staff to eliminate communication gaps,” Mr. Mlokothi said. Looking ahead, Mr. Mlokothi outlined priorities for the 2026/27 financial year, as tabled by the MEC in the policy speech. He called of the institutionalisation of Standard Operating Procedures of the Non-Negotiables Booklet across all municipalities including to develop an implementation plan for the Traditional Leadership Summit, and regular updates on the upcoming Local Government Elections. Mr Mlokothi said the Office of the Premier (OTP) has directed the provision of technical and operational support to municipalities facing infrastructure service delivery challenges, strengthen intergovernmental collaboration, accelerate the Small-Town Revitalisation Programme, timely completion of infrastructure projects in Makana, Mqanduli, Cumakala, Qoboqobo, and Hamburg and enhance disaster preparedness response, and compliance with grant conditions. In closing, Mr. Mlokothi reaffirmed the department’s commitment to accountability, collaboration, and effective service delivery. “The collective efforts of SMS members remain central to achieve the developmental agenda of the province,” he stressed.
