An Endumeni Municipality senior official has been suspended after being charged with various counts of gross negligence, incompetence, fraud and corruption.
The official’s name is known to the Courier but as charges have yet to be formalised against the person it was decided not to publish the name until official confirmation has been confirmed from the municipality.
This information came to light during a Council meeting last Tuesday, in which the matter was discussed in committee. The meeting turned into a war zone after cross words were exchanged between Endumeni Speaker S’duduzo Mdluli, Councillor Bongiwe Mbatha and Deputy Mayor Thandanani Mkhize.
Mbatha wanted to know if a Council resolution had been taken before the Speaker, acting Corporate Services Manager Desiga Padayachee and acting Municipal Manager Advocate Brijraj were provided with security services. Mbatha was informed that she would receive a report during the next Council meeting.
Mbatha was very vocal on the issue, claiming that an official was supposed to be ready with the report as the issue was listed on the agenda. She demanded to know how much the Council is paying for security for these staff members. “I am in sober senses as I am not an alcoholic. I hate it when I speak and somebody laughs,” said an angry Councillor Mbatha, claiming that the Speaker was laughing at her.
Councillor Mbatha and the Deputy Mayor submitted motions to the Council regarding a racist e-mail which was widely circulated throughout the municipality and beyond.
A spate of further suspensions against offending municipal officials is expected in the coming weeks as the ‘clean-up campaign’ takes its toll.
