Michael Sutcliffe Explained

Michael Sutcliffe is the former municipal manager^[1] of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality (population 4 million), which includes the city of Durban, South Africa. During his time in the position he was widely reported to be a controversial figure amongst Durbanites^[1] and was the target of popular protest in the city.^[2]

Deployed to the position in 2002 by the ruling African National Congress 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.^[3] He oversaw the municipality's successful preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and was involved in controversy regarding street renamings, the loss of the city's Blue Flag beach status,^[4] illegally banning protests,^[5] banning posters,^[6] serious human rights abuses in the city's housing program,^[7] the failed privatisation of the city's bus system^[8] allegations of spin-doctoring,^[9] the unprofitable uShaka Marine World,^[10] threats to withdraw advertising from newspapers employing journalists critical of the municipality,^[11] lack of action against environmental destruction,^[12] favoritism toward ANC-aligned individuals and businesses^[13] - including S'bu and Shauwn Mpisane [now [[Shauwn Mkhize]]], the latter a convicted fraudster^[14] - unlawful and at times violent violations of the basic rights of street traders^[15] and shack dwellers^{[16] [17]} and corruption.^{[18] [19] [20]}

In March 2011 the Sunday Times reported that he was under investigation for irregularities in housing contracts.^{[18] [21]} Sutcliffe has denied that there has been fraud but has admitted to 'financial irregularities'.^[22]

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.^[23] In 2008 he received an award from the Association of American Geographers for distinguished public service.^[24]

Notes and References

1. http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/a-look-back-at-sutcliffe-s-tenure-1.1205843 A look back at Sutcliffe’s tenure
2. http://www.abahlali.org/node/7878 March on Mlaba & Sutcliffe 21 March 2011
3. Web site: Reporter . Staff . 2004-06-09 . Master of the Metro . 2024-08-28 . The Mail & Guardian . en-ZA.
4. http://mg.co.za/article/2008-03-30-the-big-stink-over-durban-beachfronts The big stink over Durban beachfronts
5. http://antieviction.org.za/2010/03/12/abm-mike-sutcliffe-bans-another-abahlali-basemjondolo-march/ Mike Sutcliffe Bans another Abahlali baseMjondolo March
6. http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article194463.ece The poster boy for political censorship
7. http://base.d-p-h.info/es/fiches/dph/fiche-dph-8418.html Abahlali baseMjondolo & the Popular Struggle for the Right to the City in Durban, South Africa
8. http://mg.co.za/article/2009-06-01-sutcliffes-achilles-heel Sutcliffe’s Achilles heel?
9. http://www.monthlyreview.org/0206pithouse.htm Struggle Is a School: The Rise of a Shack Dwellers’ Movement in Durban, South Africa
10. http://mg.co.za/article/2011-02-04-durban-bleeds-municipal-funds Durban bleeds municipal funds
11. http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/government/media/press/Press%20release%2011%20August%202004/view Response to Daily News
12. http://warwickchapman.com/press-release-extensive-damage-to-grassland-in-motala-heights-and-disregard-for-the-law-offender-must-be-prosecuted Extensive damage to grassland in Motala Heights and disregard for the law – offender must be prosecuted
13. http://matthewsavides.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/sutcliffe-i-want-to-stay/ Sutcliffe: "I want to Stay"
14. http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-02-11-the-rise-and-fall-of-shauwn-and-sbu-mpisane-durbans-teflon-couple/ The rise and fall of Shauwn and S’bu Mpisane, Durban’s Teflon Couple
15. http://www.seri-sa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17:research-reports&catid=9&Itemid=29 Criminalising the Livelihoods of the Poor: The impact of formalising informal trading on female and migrant traders in Durban
16. http://www.cohre.org/sites/default/files/south_africa_-_business_as_usual_-_housing_rights_and_slum_eradication_in_durban_sept_2008_.pdf South Africa: Business as Usual - housing rights and slum eradication in Durban
17. http://www.abahlali.org/node/2664 Open Letter to Obed Mlaba and Michael Sutcliffe
18. http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article950809.ece/Hawks-set-to-arrest-top-eThekwini-officials Hawks set to arrest top eThekwini officials
19. http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/anc-chief-s-fat-cat-deals-1.476123 ANC chief's fat-cat deals
20. http://mg.co.za/article/2011-03-11-ethekwini-manager-under-fire/ eThekwini manager under fire
21. Web site: Durban's Sutcliffe waits for verdict - Times LIVE . NIVASHNI. NAIR. timeslive.co.za . 2011 . August 30, 2011.
22. http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/sutcliffe-says-cheers-1.1205731 Sutcliffe says cheers
23. Web site: Michael Sutcliffe 8046 - Who's Who SA . www.whoswhosa.co.za . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100413115740/http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/user/8046 . 2010-04-13.
24. http://www.aag.org/cs/honors Association of American Geographers