Michael Sutcliffe is the former

municipal manager A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city in the council–manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are referred to as the chief executive officer (CEO) or chief administr ...

A look back at Sutcliffe’s tenure
by Nondumiso Mbuyazi, ''Daily News'', 29 December 2011 of the

eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality () is a metropolitan municipality (South Africa), metropolitan municipality, created in 2000, that includes the city of Durban and surrounding towns. eThekwini is one of the 11 Districts of South Africa, di ...

(population 4 million), which includes the city of

Durban Durban ( ; , from meaning "bay, lagoon") is the third-most populous city in South Africa, after Johannesburg and Cape Town, and the largest city in the Provinces of South Africa, province of KwaZulu-Natal. Situated on the east coast of South ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

. During his time in the position he was widely reported to be a controversial figure amongst Durbanites and was the target of popular protest in the city. He left as municipal manager of eThekwini after an audit implicated Sutcliffe and three officials in irregular housing contracts worth R3.5-billion over 10 years. Deployed to the position in 2002 by the ruling

African National Congress The African National Congress (ANC) is a political party in South Africa. It originated as a liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid and has governed the country since 1994, when the 1994 South African general election, fir ...

he remained in office till 2011. During his time as municipal manager, he was seen as openly politicising the city's administration to redirect contracts to ANC party members and reporting to political party structures rather than the elected city mayor. He oversaw the municipality's successful preparations for the

2010 FIFA World Cup The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for List of men's national association football teams, men's national Association football, football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. ...

, and was involved in controversy regarding street renamings, the loss of the city's

Blue Flag beach The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator meets its standards. The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE, which is a Not-for-profit organi ...

status, illegally banning protests, banning posters, serious human rights abuses in the city's housing program, the failed privatisation of the city's bus system allegations of spin-doctoring, the unprofitable

uShaka Marine World uShaka Marine World is a theme park that opened on 30 April 2004 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It has a total capacity of 4.6 million gallons containing 10,000 animal species. History Designed by American firm Creative Kingdom ...

, threats to withdraw advertising from newspapers employing journalists critical of the municipality, lack of action against environmental destruction, favoritism toward ANC-aligned individuals and businesses - including S'bu and Shauwn Mpisane ow Shauwn Mkhize">Shauwn_Mkhize.html" ;"title="ow Shauwn Mkhize">ow Shauwn Mkhize the latter a convicted fraudster - unlawful and at times violent violations of the basic rights of street traders and shack dwellers and corruption.Hawks set to arrest top eThekwini officials
BONGANI MTHETHWA and MANDLA ZULU, ''Sunday Times'', 5 March 2011 In March 2011 the ''Sunday Times'' reported that he was under investigation for irregularities in housing contracts. Sutcliffe has denied that there has been fraud but has admitted to 'financial irregularities'. Sutcliffe formerly held the position of chairperson of the Municipal Demarcation Board and was a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature. Born in Addington Hospital, in Durban, he has a PhD in geography from Ohio State University. In 2008 he received an award from the

Association of American Geographers The American Association of Geographers (AAG) is a non-profit scientific and educational society aimed at advancing the understanding, study, and importance of geography and related fields. Its headquarters is located in Washington, D.C. The ...

for distinguished public service.Association of American Geographers
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sutcliffe, Michael Year of birth missing (living people) Living people People from Amanzimtoti African National Congress politicians Ohio State University Graduate School alumni