ANC treasurer for the Emalahleni Region, Bheki Nkosi, was fired from his position as head of the Community Services Department at the Newcastle municipality today (August 14) following recent corruption allegations.
At a disciplinary hearing held last Friday, Mr Nkosi was found guilty of gross misconduct and the misappropriation of public funds. Municipal sources allege that the charges follow an investigation into tender fraud pertaining to the hiring of equipment used at cemeteries.
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Mr Nkosi was absent from the disciplinary and the doctor’s note he submitted in an attempt to postpone the proceedings was discarded.
The details of the disciplinary were shared with the full council at a special meeting hosted online. The ANC-led council approved the decision to dismiss Mr Nkosi. However, it is yet uncertain if he is to face criminal charges.
When Mr Nkosi was placed on precautionary suspension earlier this month, Newcastle mayor, Dr Nthuthuko Mahlaba, who is also the ANC chairperson for the Emalahleni Region, said anyone who committed corruption would be held to account regardless of who that person is.
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Some members of the opposition parties agree that Mr Nkosi’s dismissal was a step in the right direction if Dr Mahlaba is indeed keeping his word to rid the municipality of its rot.
Others are sceptical, questioning why a number of forensic investigations have been concluded but are yet to be acted upon.
Attempts to contact Mr Nkosi for his comment proved fruitless.
