The troubled Nongoma Local Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal has finally appointed Mpumelelo Bongani Mnguni as the acting municipal manager, averting a salary payment disaster that would have seen about 260 employees going to Christmas unpaid.

Mnguni’s appointment was ratified during a special council sitting called after employees were not paid on Friday because there was no municipal manager authorised to make salary payments.

The appointment is a major climb down by the council after it initially defied a court order and insisted on appointing Prince Nhlakanipho Zulu as the acting municipal manager even after the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruled that he was not fit for the position.

“The appointment of Mr M.B Mnguni would bring stability and restore organizational culture,” reads the council resolution on the matter.

The council also authorised Mnguni to be the signatory of the municipal bank account so that the salaries could be paid.

“The council authorises Mr M.B Mnguni to instruct the existing bank signatories to process salaries.”

The matter is now in the hands of KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi to give the resolution the final nod.

The municipality still insists that Mnguni’s salaries should be paid by CoGTA as it is in no position to afford it.

This was the same request it made last week to Buthelezi where it said it would have preferred to have an acting municipal manager from within instead of Mnguni who has been appointed from outside.