ALLEGATIONS of direct political manipulation into municipal administration will be neatly swept under the carpet after suspended uMhlathuze City Deputy Municipal Manager: Infrastructure and Technical Services, Sifiso Mdakane officially resigned this week.
Mdakane was at the centre of a controversial disciplinary proceeding last year, where he was up for charges of misconduct for failure to utilise Municipal Infrastructure Grant funding on urgent service delivery matters for two consecutive financial years.
In his defence, Mdakane through attorneys Nkosi Shoba Incorporated, finger-pointed top ANC heavyweights as the ‘masterminds’ who were said to be pulling the strings when it came to removal of staff and hiring of contractors at the municipality.
He further claimed the allegations against him were orchestrated by Cllr RM Zikhali in collusion with the accounting officer and Deputy Municipal Manager: Corporate Services M Ndlovu.
However, news of the resignation means the case will not be pursued, effectively canning the many claims which surfaced during hearings. The municipality would not be drawn into commenting on whether an investigation would be instituted after senior officials including the Municipal Manager, were implicated in Mdakane’s response.
uMhlathuze spokesperson Vukile Mathabela confirmed on Wednesday that a full Council had accepted Mdakane’s resignation on Tuesday.
‘His resignation has implication on the disciplinary proceedings as the municipality will not pursue the matter further. Tumelo Gopane has been acting in this position since Mdakane’s suspension and the functioning of the department has not been affected.’
Mdakane’s contract was due to expire on 30 April.
The Zululand Observer also learnt this week that Ndlovu had resigned but subsequently withdrew her resignation.
‘Mrs Ndlovu has not resigned and we believe that she will see her contract through,’ said Mathabela.
Ndlovu’s contract is expected to end on 30 June.
