Numerous theories have been put forward in the media regarding the recent departure of Umdoni Municipality mayor, Thabani Dube, and chief whip, Bonginkosi Mngadi.
It has been widely speculated on social media that the men had been dismissed for allegedly failing to take action against municipal officials who were accused of tapping into the Covid-19 ‘danger allowances’.
Umdoni Municipality communications manager, Sphelele Cele, confirmed that Cllr Dube had resigned.
“Cllr Dube’s resignation letter was tabled at the council meeting on Wednesday, October 28 and was accepted by council.
“Cllr Mngadi has resigned as the ANC chief whip, but will still serve as a Ward 3 councillor and a member of the Executive Committee,” she said.
The IFP has however demanded that Cllr Mngadi be removed as a ward councillor, saying that his removal as chief whip was an indication that he was unfit to hold any office.
“When we say to the leadership of council that they’ve got to take action on these issues, we must have a sense and evidence that they are doing so,” said ANC KZN Secretary, Mdumiseni Ntuli at a media briefing last week.
“We did not get substantive (proof) that actions were being taken and their explanations were not convincing.”
According to Umdoni Municipality DA caucus leader, Edwin Baptie, there was currently no investigation into allegations of financial or other misconduct.
“I lodged allegations of financial misconduct against two municipal officials, with evidence, in June this year,” he said.
“Cllr Dube and his caucus chose to suppress the processes that should have followed, namely that the matter be brought to council for a resolution to undertake a preliminary investigation.
“I also notified Treasury, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the Auditor General of these developments at the time. Pressure was brought to bear and eventually the mayor called a special council meeting to resolve on an investigation.”
Councillor Baptie added that the minutes of that meeting – and hence the resolution – had not been verified.
“There are differences in opinion on what the final resolution was and the gist of the council decision was to appoint CoGTA to undertake the investigation, but we do not know if the mayor made a request to CoGTA and if so, what that request was.”
The IFP also shared their concerns in a recent media release.
Sfundo Ngwane, IFP Ugu District chairman, said he believed that this was only the tip of the iceberg.
“For a long time we have bemoaned the mismanagement and misconduct of ANC officials in this office.
“This type of investigation is needed at the Ugu District Municipality. It cannot be exempted from the rot, which we believe runs deeper than envisaged,” he said.
Ms Cele also denied reports that Speaker Nombuso Mpanza-Mngadi was stepping down from her duties, saying that this information was incorrect.
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