Office of the City Manager

Welcome to the City Manager Department. Find out more about what we do and how you can reach us.

What we do

The Office of the City Manager is responsible for all aspects of governance, which includes ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and approved City policies, processes and procedures. The directorate is structured as follows:

The City Manager

The City Manager is appointed in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000, to lead the City’s administration, and is accountable and responsible for functions as specifically provided for in legislation, as well as those functions delegated by the Executive Mayor and Council.

As the current City Manager, Lungelo Mbandazayo offers valuable insight and experience gained over more than 30 years in the legal profession and public services industries. His skills and competencies are underpinned by a B Proc and an LLB degree, which he obtained from the former University of Natal and the University of Fort Hare respectively.

In addition to having excellent management and leadership abilities, Lungelo is seen as a highly ethical, results-orientated person with excellent communication, relationship-building and networking skills.

He has the added advantage of being a legal specialist and has extensive knowledge of various aspects of corporate governance, public administration, public finance, ethics, fraud, crime and related issues.

Having been appointed to the position of City Manager in 2018, Lungelo has also been able to develop a clear understanding of strategy and policy development and implementation in line with the City’s overall strategic objectives as outlined in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

The City Manager is further supported by an Executive Management Team (EMT), appointed in terms of section 57 of the Municipal Systems Act. Each member of the EMT heads a directorate and is responsible for its key functions. These include implementing Council decisions and leading the City’s drive to achieve its strategic objectives.

We include

Ethics and Forensic Services Department

We promote and safeguard ethical conduct by creating a culture of integrity and accountability in the City, This includes enforcing the City of Cape Town’s Ethics Code, which defines the City’s objectives and corresponding principles of good conduct.

We further also contribute to the City’s culture of good governance by combatting fraud and corruption. To this end, we function as the City's own independent forensic investigation unit tasked with, among others, giving effect to the City's Fraud Prevention Policy and Fraud Response Plans as well as the Whistle Blowing Policy.

Apart from conducting authorised forensic investigations, we also play an important role in raising staff awareness of their responsibility to safeguard the City's resources against the risk of fraud.

Report fraud, corruption or abuse of office

Internal Audit Department

We provide independent, objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve City operations. Our services help the City to accomplish its objectives by bringing about a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes.

Our mission is to enhance and protect organisational value by providing risk-based and objective assurance, advice and insight to the City.

Legal Services Department

We provide a legal support service to the City to enable it to deliver on its constitutional mandate and manage and limit legal risks. Our department also ensures that the decisions taken by Council and its structures, as well as the administration, are legally compliant and that legal support is available to the various line departments as and when they require it.

Office of the Mayor

We lead the executive branch of the City’s government, and play an integral role in leadership, policy development and community engagement.

The Executive Mayor also appoints a Mayoral Committee that oversees the effective functioning of the administration and promotes effective and efficient service delivery to the people of Cape Town.

Ombudsman

The Ombudsman investigates and helps to resolve public complaints against the City. Our department renders an independent, impartial, unbiased, non-prejudicial and apolitical ombud service, which entails alternative dispute resolution, alongside advocacy, relationship management and communication.