IFP suspends AbaQulusi mayor with immediate effect

AbaQulusi Mayor Mncedisi Maphisa has been suspended from the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) with immediate effect after a leaked audio clip has been circulating on different social media platforms. Maphisa has been directed to take leave from municipal duties with immediate effect, and AbaQulusi Deputy Mayor Mandla Mazibuko will act as mayor in the interim.

In the audio clip, the mayor is allegedly heard instructing senior municipal officials that supply chain management and the human resources process must be compromised and done in a way that favours his wishes.

Last week, KwaZulu-Natal CoGTA MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi called for an investigation following the leaked audio and a statement was issued, saying that what the mayor did and said is against the law. ‘’The department therefore calls upon the speaker of the municipality to investigate this matter and the authenticity of the recordings, and take the appropriate steps. The department will be keeping a close eye on this matter, as it has the solemn responsibility of holding councillors accountable. Local government is not a personal fiefdom (territory or sphere of operation controlled by a particular person) for anyone, but rather a sphere designed to serve our communities and act in their best interests.’’

Responding to the leaked audio in a media release, the mayor said, “I have noted with concern the circulating voice note of myself, where I had a meeting with my senior management team and how it has been misconstrued and misinterpreted. In essence, this statement is aimed at putting clarity on the matter in order for everyone who was not part of that meeting to be on the same par (sic).

“In my opening statement, I was clear that the meeting was held on the basis of ironing out issues that we are facing as the municipality. It is not a secret that, as the municipality, we have been having a few challenges which I felt were eventually going to hinder us in delivering on our mandate, and that is to deliver service to our people.

“Where I spoke about appointments, it was clear that all I needed from my team was to be informed when there are going to be appointments of employees or service providers; not for myself to be part of the recruitment or SCM processes. Why? As the leader of this municipality, I need to be aware of everything that is happening so I can be able to speak to all matters relating to the municipality, for accountability purposes. Hence my request to be informed as a leader in order for me to keep abreast of matters relating to the operations of the municipality. When there are challenges, we can forge a way forward together.

“In reference to the metaphor of ‘inkunzi enamasende’, it was exactly that; a metaphor with emphasis on reclaiming my position as the leader of this institution. Like I have highlighted, there are a lot of things happening within the municipality that I am not informed of, especially on critical matters that I would in the end need to account for. This was to remind my team that should I not reclaim my position, then we will be operating on auto pilot and we may crash without even realising it. This statement was in no way of a sexual nature or chauvinistic, but to purely reclaim the leadership position that was entrusted to me.

“I insisted that things needed to happen in a way that we would all agree was the correct way and that senior management abide by the correct way of doing things. I enforced in them that we should take the corner together in ensuring that things are done correctly. Further to that, I urged them not to let their political affiliation affect the work we are doing, which is to service the people. We were meeting to start on a clean slate; I emphasised that their subconscious must overpower their political conscience in order for us to move in the right direction in building this institution.

“But let me hasten also to apologise to those who misinterpreted my speech and the confusing Zulu sayings that could have confused those who have shortcomings when it comes to the understanding of the rich Zulu language.’’

The IFP considers these matters to be of a very serious nature and as such, they are receiving the priority attention of the party through investigation. The AbaQulusi mayor will appear before the NEC at a special meeting scheduled to sit no later than March 5.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Sexual assault case against AbaQulusi’s deputy mayor is postponed

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