Michael Sutcliffe

Michael Sutcliffe is municipal manager of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality (population 4 million), which includes the city of Durban, South Africa.^[1] Deployed to the position in 2002 by the ruling African National Congress, 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^[2], illegally banning protests^[3], banning posters^[4], serious human rights abuses in the city's housing program^[5], the failed privatisation of the city's bus system^[6]allegations of spin-doctoring^[7], the failed uShaka Marine World^[8], threats to withdraw advertising from newspapers employing journalists critical of the municipality^[9], lack of action against environmental destruction^[10], favoritism toward ANC-aligned individuals and businesses^[11], unlawful and at times violent violations of the basic rights of street traders^[12] and shack dwellers^[13] and corruption.^[14][15]

According to the Sunday Times he is under investigation for irregularities in housing contracts.^[16][17]

A controversial figure among Durbanites^[18] Sutcliffe formerly held the position of chairperson of the Municipal Demarcation Board and was a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature.

Born in Amanzimtoti, he has a PhD in geography from Ohio State University.^[19] In 2008 he received an award from the Association of American Geographers for distinguished public service.^[20]

References

1. ^ http://www.travelwires.com/wp/2008/07/mike-sutcliffe-the-man-behind-the-manager/
2. ^ The big stink over Durban beachfronts, Niren Tolsi, Mail & Guardian, 2008
3. ^ Mike Sutcliffe Bans another Abahlali baseMjondolo March, Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign, 2010
4. ^ The poster boy for political censorship, Paddy Harper, The Sunday Times, 2009
5. ^ Abahlali baseMjondolo & the Popular Struggle for the Right to the City in Durban, South Africa, Richard Pithouse, Llamiento, 2010
6. ^ Sutcliffe’s Achilles heel?, Sam Sole, Mail & Guardian, 2009
7. ^ Struggle Is a School: The Rise of a Shack Dwellers’ Movement in Durban, South Africa, Richard Pithouse, Monthly Review, 2006
8. ^ Durban bleeds municipal funds, Niren Tolsi, Mail & Guardian, 4 February 2011
9. ^ Response to Daily News, Michael Sutcliffe, 2005
10. ^ Extensive damage to grassland in Motala Heights and disregard for the law – offender must be prosecuted, Warrick Chapman, 2011
11. ^ http://matthewsavides.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/sutcliffe-i-want-to-stay/
12. ^ Criminalising the Livelihoods of the Poor: The impact of formalising informal trading on female and migrant traders in Durban by Blessing Karumbidza, Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (February 2011)
13. ^ South Africa: Business as Usual - housing rights and slum eradication in Durban, Centre on Housing Rights & Evictions, Geneva, 2008
14. ^ Hawks set to arrest top eThekwini officials, BONGANI MTHETHWA and MANDLA ZULU, Sunday Times, 5 March 2011
15. ^ ANC chief's fat-cat deals, By Wendy Jasson da Costa, IOL, 12 March 2011
16. ^ Hawks set to arrest top eThekwini officials, BONGANI MTHETHWA and MANDLA ZULU, Sunday Times, 5 March 2011
17. ^ NAIR, NIVASHNI (2011 [last update]). "Durban's Sutcliffe waits for verdict - Times LIVE". timeslive.co.za. http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2011/06/20/durban-s-sutcliffe-waits-for-verdict. Retrieved August 30, 2011. 
18. ^ http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article145750.ece
19. ^ http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/user/8046
20. ^ Association of American Geographers

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