THE regional ANC has full confidence in eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and is happy with her focus on the provision of basic services to ratepayers. So says the ANC regional spokesperson, Zinhle Cele ahead of the provincial elective conference scheduled to take place a the University of Zululuand from 8 to 10 June.
Cele said the region was concerned by the Democratic Alliance (DA) using reports of forensic investigations, undertaken by the municipality, to misinform the public. She said the ANC was not surprised that DA leader Zwakele Mncwango was quoted in the media recently admitting he was in possession of a forensic report. “There is no shadow of a doubt that he is responsible, together with his party, for the lies that were peddled by the City Press and other media houses last week. The blue lies suggesting that councillor Zandile Gumede is being investigated have been dismissed by the Hawks,” she said.
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Cele said the region was firmly behind President Cyril Ramaphosa and the entire leadership elected at NASREC and ready to serve their communities as guided by Thuma Mina programme.
Commenting on the State of the City address and confidence in Mayor Zandile Gumede, Cele said they were happy with the provision of basic services including a clear programme aimed at ensuring job creation and inclusive economic growth through radical economic transformation.
“We welcome all efforts as announced by the mayor aimed at fighting fraud and corruption. The institutional mechanisms such as the City Integrity and Investigations Unit (CIIU), the Municipal Public Accounts Committee, the Ethics committee and an independent Audit Committee have been instrumental in providing oversight of financial management and integrity of the Municipality. The blacklisting of 42 companies and the 326 investigations that have been completed over the past financial year underpins the commitment of the ANC-led municipality to eradicate fraud and corruption,” she said.
“The Mayor was prejudged in the media even before factual responses were given. Clearly, Mncwango and the DA are involved in a campaign aimed at projecting Gumede as a corrupt politician. As the ANC we view this as not only the defamation of her character but a clear interference with the work of law enforcement agencies. As the ANC in the region we have confidence in Gumede. She was deployed to lead a municipality that creates a responsive administration that continuously improves efficiency,” she said.
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