“EThekwini Municipality is corrupt from the top to bottom. The ANC effectively elected a criminal syndicate into government in Durban in 2016.”
This was the reaction from Nicole Graham, Democratic Alliance eThekwini caucus leader, following the arrest of Sipho Nzuza, eThekwini Municipality City Manager on charges of fraud, money laundering and corruption.
Opposition parties are calling for the head of Nzuza, after he was nabbed by the HAWKS as part of a wide-ranging R430 million Durban Solid Waste tender probe.
ALSO READ: eThekwini City Manager faces fraud charges in R430m DSW tender deal
Nzuza appeared on Tuesday at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, where he was released on R50 000 bial.
Nzuza is expected to appear again on the 16 April along with 16 other accused persons, including for eThekwini Mayor, Zandile Gumede.
Graham said she will be writing to the speaker to convene an emergency council meeting for the suspension of Nzuza.
“The corrupt politics of the ANC is why DSW cannot keep our communities clean, why GoDurban cannot get off the ground, why Ethekwini Water and Sanitation can’t keep the taps running and why the Parks department spend millions on events and concerts but can’t cut the grass,” she said.
“These things are not coincidences. They’re the net result of a corrupt, criminal syndicate running a city.”
Velenkosini Hlabisa, Inkatha Freedom Party provincial leader, also echoed DA’s calls for Nzuza’s suspension, adding there needs to be an overhaul of the city’s appointment system.
ALSO READ: Top eThekwini officials in court over tender fraud
“We must weed out corruption and build a strong system of justice that the people can trust. Government authorities should spearhead anti-corruption initiatives to ensure transparency and accountability for the benefit of all South Africans,” he said.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, said the recent slew of arrests point to systematic corruption within the city.
“As we approach the 2021 Local Government Elections, voters need to ask themselves whether their chosen party is putting up a candidate who can adequately manage a municipality with a budget in excess of R50-billion. If not, they must confront their party, demanding a higher calibre candidate or otherwise change their vote,” said Tim Tyrrell, OUTA Provincial Manager.
In an affidavit submitted to court, Nzuza said he intends on pleading ‘not guilty’to the charges against him.
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