The beleaguered Endumeni Municipality could be in for more upheaval this week, with speculation that Advocate R Brijraj will again take up the post of municipal manager.
Inside sources claimed that ‘ANC heavyweights’ from the Province held a meeting with local councillors at the Umzinyathi District municipal building on Wednesday, and ordered the changes. The Endumeni Council has been in virtual paralysis since September last year, when Council decided – without a quorum – to uplift the suspension of Municipal Manager TP Biyela. Since then the three DA Councillors and a group of three so-called ‘rebel’ ANC Councillors have not been recognising Mr Biyela’s appointment.
Efforts by MEC Dube to have Advocate Brijraj return to his desk fell flat when he was assaulted in broad daylight by a group of municipal workers in front of the municipal building on December 19.
The MEC, in a letter to Endumeni Municipality, has also questioned why those in acting managers’ posts are receiving 35% of the salary as prescribed by that post (on top of their ‘normal’ monthly salary) instead of the usual 8% that is stated by law. The MEC has also indicated that ‘monies are to be recovered from those acting’. This could be back-dated from around June 2013. It is not clear what will happen to those appointed to positions after September once Mr Brijraj resumes his post and the positions are re-advertised
There is also speculation that Councillor Ngobese of the ANC will quit as a ward councillor on Wednesday.
