ANY presumption that axed uMhlathuze City Mayor Elphas Mbatha would depart the political scene quietly, was starkly contradicted this week.
The outgoing mayor, who officially resigned on Thursday (today), candidly stated that his exit was related to his continued condemnation of alleged political interference in the operational running of the municipality, as well as irregularities in the tender process.
Responding to the ANC’s decision last Friday to recall him before the end of his term, Mbatha said he believed the public was being ‘misled to tarnish my image ahead of the local government elections next year’.
In Mbatha’s opinion, there were ‘several reasons why ANC regional head Thulani Mashaba wanted me to go’.
These included claims that Mashaba intervened in administrative matters to protect his wife from disciplinary proceedings dating back to 2013.
‘When Mashaba was requested to recuse himself from a caucus meeting of councillors which dealt with a report that implicated him, he accused me of wasting time and told councillors to suspend his wife’s boss, former City manager Sifiso Mdakane,’ said Mbatha.
Tender irregularities
Other matters of concern raised by the former mayor included a tender award, which was handled by Mashaba’s wife and the accounting officer.
It was reportedly found to have been irregularly awarded at the value of R115-million and was set aside by the provincial tender tribunal.
A rural sanitation tender award valued at R120-million, which was found by the provincial tender tribunal to have been irregularly awarded was ‘cancelled to give companies preferred by municipal officials and some politicians a better opportunity’.
‘As a result, no toilet was built the entire year. During the adjustment budget speech on 27 February 2014, I warned municipal staff not to manipulate tenders or they would face the law.
‘Mashaba approached the province and requested that I be disciplined,’ said Mbatha.
There was further alleged political pressure to support community events, despite the municipality not having funds in the budget to do so.
The latest incident, according to Mbatha, was when Mashaba told uMhlathuze councillors on 18 March to boycott meetings of the municipality if the mayor was present.
Sour relations
However, in his defence, Mashaba told the Zululand Observer on Wednesday that Mbatha’s response had validated that the ‘ANC had taken the right decision’.
‘This is the last kick of a dying horse. He was given all the powers to lead the institution but yet he was just a spectator.
‘Be a leader and don’t blame people of the region. I am not part of this municipality. I guide officials but do not interfere with tenders.
‘I have never interfered with the work of the municipality. I cannot be blamed for my wife’s appointment when she has the required qualifications,’ Mashaba said.
The ANC head further said that Mbatha had sour relations with most of the leaders in the region.
‘I have been protecting him since 2012 when councillors wanted him out.
‘I am not co-leading with him. I am the leader of the region and must be responsible for my actions.
‘I cannot tell people to boycott the municipality. It would mean that the ANC does not care for people. All 36 councillors wanted him out.’
@RonelleRamsamy
