HEAD of the ANC Musa Dladla region, Thulani Mashaba, who has been named in a damning report relating to alleged political interference at the City of uMhlathuze, says ‘if it is me that is implicated, it is not the ANC’.
His response follows claims of meddling in municipal recruitment processes and alleged nepotism, which surfaced in a legal showdown between uMhlathuze Deputy Municipal Manager: Corporate Services, Mbali Ndlovu and her employer.
Ndlovu is up on charges of misconduct after a string of allegations levelled by the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in April.
The grievances include use of municipal funds without Council authorisation, failure to uphold Council policy and the misleading of Council on legal matters – costing the ratepayers a fortune.
However, Ndlovu claimed the allegations were prompted by her refusal to bow down to political pressure.
In an exclusive interview with the Zululand Observer on Wednesday, the regional ANC Chairperson said despite claims of political ‘bullying’ relating to the appointment of his wife, he did not ‘hold any grudges’ and was prepared to defend himself in a court of law.
‘This is an unfortunate situation but when there are problems with municipal processes, politics should not be dragged into the matter.
‘Last year, we expressed our concern about the failure to spend at the municipality. Any official who fails to spend a budget is an enemy of our revolution.
‘Our existence is based on the principle of service delivery. It is sad that when officials experience difficulties, they pull politics into the matter,’ Mashaba said.
He further apologised to the Zululand Observer for derogatory comments made against the newspaper on the ANC Musa Dladla facebook group following Monday’s article revealing Ndlovu’s accusations.
‘We condemn these comments on the strongest terms and this is a public apology on behalf of the party,’ said Mashaba.
Judgment
Meanwhile, judgment was reserved at the Durban Labour Court on Tuesday where Ndlovu sought an urgent interdict against the municipality.
On Wednesday night, Council resolved to place Ndlovu on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of an independent investigation.
The decision was taken on the basis that she was afforded seven days to make representation as to why she should not be suspended, but failed to do so.
However, Ndlovu said Council was already in possession of her 46-page response to the allegations.
‘I had advised the Municipal Manager that preparing such representations would be affording legitimacy on an unlawful action taken by the Council and that my suspension was already a
foregone conclusion.
‘Therefore affording me such an opportunity is lip service. It would therefore be improper to legitimise such a conduct,’ said Ndlovu.
