Endumeni’s Deputy Mayor, Thandani Mkhize, has refused to sign a suspension letter that was handed to him by the National Freedom Party’s Constituency Executive Committee.
The letter, dated October 1, was signed by the NFP’s local Chairperson, MC Ntsele, and Secretary, P Nyawo.
According to the committee members – Wonderboy Khumalo, Malusi Thabethe, Nompumelelo Mthethwa and Siphiwo Mhlongo – Mr Mkhize was suspended following him being charged for alleged misconduct (including siding with a party not aligned to the NFP, as well as undermining the party), and misappropriation of funds
.
Mr Mkhize was one of five Endumeni Councillors recently fined by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) for misconduct following the illegal decision to lift the suspension of Municipal Manager TP Biyela. Mr Biyela has since been re-suspended after a meeting, held in September last year, was deemed to be illegal as there had been no quorum when the decision was passed.
Mr Mkhize and the other Councillors – including Mayor Thulani Mahaye – were all fined and had to forfeit a percentage of their monthly Council allowance. However, there has been no official comment from Council regarding this – despite a request from the Courier for details.
Mr Mkhize told the Courier that he ‘had no knowledge of the suspension’, and that he had refused to sign the letter.
The NFP’s Constituency Executive Committee said Mr Mkhize was given seven days to appear before the disciplinary hearing.
Last year several attempts were made to suspend Mr Mkhize – all of which fell through. Mr Mkhize said the suspension letter had been forwarded to Endumeni Speaker, Siduduzo Mdluli.
