IFP asked Jerry Sibiya to resign
National Chairman for the IFP, Blessed Gwala confirmed Sibiya was requested to step down by the party as Mayor of AbaQulusi and PR Councillor for the IFP, and added this was not in any way implying Sibiya was wrong, or that he was corrupt.
Residents are questioning the future of AbaQulusi, following the sudden resignation of Jerry Sibiya as Mayor.
News of Sibiya stepping down from the helm of the municipality, follows the suspension of Bonga Ntanzi as Municipal Manager and Sibiya embarking on ‘special leave’ only weeks earlier.
Last week, Sibiya wrote a statement to the media and colleagues to accompany his resignation.
“Fellow AbaQulusi citizens, we have travelled together. As you have read my dedicated SMS to your inner souls in January 2019, I have been requested by my party to resign as a Councillor and as the Mayor of AbaQulusi Municipality. I’m so humbled by the support I have received from faith-based, traditional leaders, AfriForum, Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch, the Chamber of Business, traditional healers, iCityZN, the community, political party whips from the IFP, DA, EFF and ANC, honourable Councillors and senior management (only those who were ready to serve).”
Sibiya said he would never forget the municipality’s middle management and staff, and the media, for the incredible support given to him.
He believes his call for ‘clean governance’ and accountability among officials, and his refusal to bend to corruption, among other controversial issues he tackled however, are behind the IFP’s request for him to step aside as both AbaQulusi Mayor and the IFP PR Councillor.
Controversies are said to include fraudulent overtime claims and wasteful expenditure, which were allegedly ‘rife’ prior to his election as Mayor.
“Running a municipality should be the very same as running a business,” he explained. “When you run a business, your aim is to be successful. The success of your company depends on how you run it. When corruption is present, you cannot prosper and your people will suffer.”
Sibiya explained that his position as IFP PR Councillor must be filled, and pointed out two councillors were to be sworn in at a special meeting on Tuesday – Cllr HB Khumalo of the ANC, who will replace Patience Kaba, and Cllr PE Hlatshwayo of the IFP, who will replace Sibiya himself. Both will fill seats on the Executive Committee (Exco).
As for the position of Mayor however, the IFP is still to appoint a person to take on this critical role, to gather up the reigns of the embattled municipality.
“Politics isn’t about the services,” concluded Sibiya. “If you are not cruel and heartless, you will not survive. Thanks very much to all of you, but I couldn’t stand corruption and threats to be killed continuously. May God Almighty bless you all.”
National Chairman for the IFP, Blessed Gwala confirmed Sibiya was requested to step down by the party as Mayor of AbaQulusi and PR Councillor for the IFP, and added this was not in any way implying Sibiya was wrong, or that he was corrupt.
However, continued Gwala, the party felt it was clear the municipality would collapse under Sibiya’s watch, and thus the IFP needed to replace him with someone who would ‘move the municipality forward’.
“We did request that he resign,” he stated. “He agreed and we thanked him… There are many things we need to do to rectify the situation in AbaQulusi. One must remember, the spanner that tightens the wheel is the same one that loosens it. We need to discuss who will be elected as Mayor now.”
Also read:Â We can make it without the intervention of the administrator, AbaQulusi Mayor says
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