Change of guard at Endumeni Municipality

There has been yet another change of the guard at the much-maligned Endumeni Municipality.  Yesterday’s Special Council meeting saw the suspension of come-back-kid, TP Biyela, and the appointment of four new managers.

Ten Councillors were present.  Councillor Bheki Ngobese, ANC, resigned earlier this week as he was against the decision to suspend Mr Biyela.  The IFP’s Councillor B Mbatha was absent but gave an apology.

It is open secret that three ANC Councillors, the two IFP Councillors and the lone NFP representative were seen as ‘Biyela people’ while the three DA Councillors and three ‘rebel’ ANC Councillors always maintained the decision to uplift Mr Biyela’s suspension was illegal.

A packed public gallery felt cheated after Speaker Mdluli ruled that ‘as sensitive proceedings are to be discussed the meeting will be held in committee but a statement would be given later’.

Amid much grumbling, the gallery cleared with FC Bester of the Residents’ Association threatening to interdict the Council to force them to have the meeting held in public.

Even special guest, MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation – KZN, Ms Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha, also had to leave.

After an hour-and-a-half wait it was learnt that the Council had resolved to confirm  the suspension of TP Biyela – the municipal manager who was charged with 16 counts – but whose suspension was uplifted last September at an inquorated Council meeting.

Four new managers were appointed.  Advocate R Brijraj as acting Municipal Manager, Ms Chenia as Financial Manager, D Padayachee as Corporate Services Manager and Mark Donaldson as Technical Services Manager.

The Courier understands the lone IFP Councillor and the lone NFP Councillor were against the resolution but the motion carried with Mayor Thulani Mahaye moving the motion and the DA’s Anthon Raubenheimer seconding the proposal.

Much still has to be done:  there is a huge question mark of what will happen to appointments made after September as Mr Biyela’s is now deemed to have been acting illegally.  Some court action may be on the cards.

Also Advocate Brijraj may not be all that enthusiastic to return to the municipal manager’s seat following the assault on him by municipal workers on December 19.

But it does appear Endumeni Municipality has thrown off the paralysis that has left the Council in limbo for months.  FC Bester of the Residents Association welcomed the move to suspend Mr Biyela and put in new acting managers.

“Clearly, monies will have to be recovered from those who were over paid while acting – receiving a 35% allowance for acting instead of the legal 8%”