KwaDukuza municipality proportional representative councillor Thokozani Gumede is almost out of a job.
The Democratic Alliance councillor’s political career is hanging by a thread after an oversight committee concluded that he should be removed from office.
This is after he was absent from three consecutive council meetings without apologising or asking for leave, grounds for immediate removal.
Gumede’s precarious future was discussed at an executive committee meeting in Ballito on Wednesday.
Municipal manager Nhlanhla Mdakane said the committee tasked with investigating Gumede’s case, led by speaker Thulani Khuluse, believes it has the power to remove Gumede.
However Mdakane said only co-operative governance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube should have such authority.
“Also, there is no opportunity for the councillor to present his side of the story or appeal the committee’s decision. We all agree Gumede is wrong and must be removed, but the question is who has the authority to do it?”
Gumede suggested the matter be referred to full council for a decision, following which the MEC’s office will be approached.
He also suggested the by-laws governing councillor’s removal be re-evaluated.
Gumede’s tenure as a PR councillor for ward one (Sakamkhanya, Doringkop, Kearsney and Nonoti) has been erratic at best.
He went into hiding in May last year after he believed a R7000 hit had been placed on his life. He then accused the KDM of not providing him with bodyguards because of his political affiliation (DA councillor denied protection, Courier, May 31).
He was also allegedly involved in a major clothing theft incident at an Umhlanga shopping centre, which police were yet to confirm at the time of going to press.
