MBABANE – The management of the Municipal Council of Mbabane has begun formalising the relationship with the Mbabane ratepayers association.

Following correspondences, the two parties met yesterday to look at the draft Memorandum of Understanding.

Council CEO (left) engages members of the Mbabane Ratepayers Association during the first meeting where Council and association looked at proposals of the MOU

The Chief Executive Officer, Gideon Mhlongo opened the meeting by highlighting that the association represents a very important stakeholder and as such Council values a formal relationship that will benefit Council as well as all the people of Mbabane.

“What we want to do here today is to look at how Council will engage in a formal manner with a very important stakeholder. This is not an entirely new effort by both Council and yourselves as you are aware that there was an association of ratepayers previously that Council recognised and worked with based on an MOU that guided the relationship at the time.

We had a healthy relationship until there were violations of the MOU on the part of the association, specifically the failure to observe its constitution that stated the need for elections. The continuous failure to observe that and other aspects of the MOU ultimately led to Council’s decision to terminate or cancel the MOU. Today’s engagement is a positive step and Council is hopeful that we will have fruitful engagement today,” said the CEO.

Speaking in behalf of the ratepayers association, Patrick Bhembe said the association recognises the importance of working together with Council to safeguard the interests of Mbabane residents. Bhembe added that the meeting is a sign that Council and the association come to the table with good intentions.

“This is a very important strategic partnership that will help us all work together for the betterment of the life of ratepayers and it therefore why we are prepared to work very well with Council. The MOU we are both drafting paves the way for synergy and team work,” said Bhembe.