THE DA has called on the MEC to remove eThekwini City Manager, S’bu Sithole, with immediate effect for his failure to co-operate with the office of the Public Protector on an investigation into controversial company, Zikhulise Cleaning Maintenance and Transport and its relationship with the municipality.
Zwakele Mncwanga, leader of the DA in the province said over the past decade the City had entered into a number of contracts with Zikhulise for the construction of houses within eThekwini. “Some of these contracts are questionable and allegations of shoddy workmanship and bad building practices have been reported,” he said.
Mncwanga said the office of the public protector has had to revert to MEC of Cogta, Ms Nomusa Dube, to intervene and urge Sithole to comply. “The Public Protector will have no choice but to approach the court, should the MEC fail to assist,” he said.
However, in a media release on Thursday morning, eThekwini Municipality said it was willing to fully cooperate with the office of the Public Protector on all issues pertaining to an investigation into the awarding of Section 36 contracts by the City.
To determine whether a preliminary investigation would be conducted or not, a meeting was held between City officials including City Manager Sibusiso Sithole, a manager from his office and an official from the City’s Legal Unit as well as an Advocate and Senior Investigator from the Durban Public Protector’s office.
At the meeting, Sithole requested that the representatives from the Public Protector’s office be more specific about the Section 36 contracts under investigation so that information could be made available to them. “There has been no further communication from the Public Protector’s office on this issue. We indicated during the meeting that this matter cannot be a fishing expedition. We are willing to give them reports with the information they require,” said Sithole.
Sithole said monthly reports were compiled by the City on all tenders awarded including Section 36 contracts. These reports are tabled at various Municipal Committees, including the Executive Committee and the Municipal Public Accounts Committee.
“The Section 36 reports are easily accessible to all Councillors, therefore the City has no reason not to provide the reports to the Public Protector,” said Sithole.
“We respect the office of the Public Protector and the work they do. Their mandate is to root out fraud and corruption which the City also strives to achieve. We reiterate that we are willing to work with them,” Sithole added.
