Lolo Madonsela
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu-Natal has taken the stance that it will not remove Zululand District Mayor Thulasizwe Buthelezi. IFP KZN chairperson Thami Ntuli said, “The IFP has no intention of removing the mayor on the basis of baseless allegations.”
This follows a recent forensic investigation report on maladministration, fraud and corruption at Zululand District Municipality (ZDM), which was tabled by the KZN Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in a ‘virtual’ meeting before council on May 14.
The report recommended that the ZDM mayor be removed from his position and should not participate in any of the municipality’s activities. It also recommended that CoGTA MEC Sipho Hlomuka write Buthelezi a letter, suspending him with pay.
The call to have Buthelezi removed as mayor was supported by the ANC in the Mzala Nxumalo Region and by some community activists.
Hlomuka had not written a letter to Buthelezi pending the 21 days given to council to go through the report and make recommendations.
Ntuli said that the IFP rejected the report outright and that they considered it to be “a cheap, desperate and clear demonstration of abuse of power by the ANC in KZN through the ANC-controlled CoGTA”.
Also read: Maladministration, fraud and corruption probed at ZDM
“The allegations against the mayor have zero basis. These allegations are glaringly trumped up and make a mockery of the legitimate fight against corruption, fraud and maladministration. The IFP questions the professionalism and ethics of Mdledle Incorporated, who were tasked to conduct the investigation, as, in all allegations levelled against the mayor, not once was the mayor interviewed or asked for his side of the story. The forensic investigation has strangely been completed with findings and recommendations without the audi alterem partem rule being applied,” said Ntuli.
He further stated that, “The deliberate oversight exposes the investigation for exactly what it is: a political witch-hunt anchored in delusions of grandeur. The IFP expects the municipal council to take this farce of a report on review in the High Court. The IFP remains committed to good governance and clean administration, and the people of Zululand District must be assured of our highest consideration for their plight and accelerated service delivery.”
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