ANC sub-region demands suspension of KwaDukuza mayor and municipal manager [Watch]
A memorandum containing numerous demands and serious allegations against high-ranking municipal officials was handed over to chief whip Humphrey Mbatha.
The KwaDukuza council meeting at the KwaDukuza Town Hall was disrupted today as residents, led by the KwaDukuza sub-region of the African National Congress, marched in protest against alleged corruption within the KwaDukuza Municipality
The protest action caused an initial two-hour delay of the monthly council meeting, which was eventually postponed until next week after three time-sensitive items were dealt with.
They demanded a forensic audit report and the suspension of municipal manager Nhlanhla Mdakane and mayor Lindile Nhaca pending the audit results.
Their memorandum, outlining numerous demands and severe allegations against high-ranking municipal officials, was accepted by the chief whip Humphrey Mbatha, who said feedback would be given within seven days.
Presenting the memorandum, KwaDukuza sub-region secretary Xolani Mbhele highlighted various grievances.
These included claims that the mayor, municipal manager and chief operations officer (COO) paid significant sums to an opposition political party to secure their support for suspending the municipality’s chief financial officer Shamir Rajcoomar.
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It is alleged a R400 000 payment was made using municipal funds to help KwaDukuza EFF members travel to the party’s national rally in Johannesburg on July 30 – a partial payback for KDM’s four EFF councillors voting with the ruling party to oust Rajcoomar last month.
Mbhele said other alleged corrupt practices that must be urgently investigated included an ‘ex-gratia’ payment of more than R500 000 to the executive director of economic development and planning, Sikhumbuzo Hlongwane.
Mbhele also raised concerns about remuneration disparities exceeding official guidelines for Hlongwane and the COO, Mandla Manzini.
The memorandum further requested scrutiny of senior staff appointments, salary discrepancies and remuneration increases, including for the director of development planning.
Developers and individuals reportedly had to pay bribes to expedite building plan approvals and occupancy certificates.
Additional grievances comprised the stagnant Rocky Park Housing Project, mismanagement of funds, the relationship between the municipal manager and Hlongwane, and the demand for an inquiry into the municipality’s law firm, to confirm if it is not “captured”.
Hlongwane’s role in the ongoing disciplinary action against the chief financial officer was questioned, as well as the appointments of contractor and consultant appointments.
The memorandum also called for assessments of companies linked to the council speaker, Dolly Govender, as well as investigations into appointments made by the chief operations officer.
Lack of leadership and accountability by senior officials were also criticised.
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