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Ladysmith Mayor, Cllr Zama Sibisi, finds himself under the spotlight as rumours circulate about the cause of his recent car accident on 27 December 2021. According to the rumours, the accident resulted from him celebrating with female companions.
Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the Alfred Duma Municipality addressed the matter to clear the air.
Siyabonga Maphalala, the municipality’s spokesperson, explained that Cllr Sibisi was not in the vehicle when the accident occurred. Instead, he explains that the Mayoral driver was on his way to Babanango to pick up Mayor Sibisi at the time of the accident.
According to Maphalala, the report obtained indicates that at Nquthu, a light delivery vehicle passed a stationary taxi and side-swiped the Municipal vehicle.

Additionally, he said that, contrary to speculation, the Mayor’s municipal vehicle is permitted to travel outside the municipal jurisdiction of the Alfred Duma Local Municipality.
Furthermore, the Mayor is currently driving a hired vehicle, as was when the former Mayor, Speaker, or Deputy Mayor’s official vehicles were involved in accidents/mechanical faults.
“I can confirm that previously guided by Municipal Legal Prescripts and Municipal Finance Management regulations, a Municipal vehicle assigned to the former Speaker was involved in an accident outside the boundaries of KZN and was assigned a hired vehicle as a temporary measure for him to continue with the execution of his duties.”
Both vehicles assigned to the former Mayor and former Deputy Mayor previously experienced mechanical faults outside the uThukela District boundary. As a result, both were given hired vehicles at that time.
Maphalala clarified that Council had followed procurement procedures in all of these instances.
However, as to the Mayor’s allegations of being part of social celebrations and having fun with female friends during the incident, Maphalala says that they wish to distance themselves from the sentiment as Council.
Therefore, the Alfred Duma Municipality cannot comment on the allegation based on the matter of fact and principle.
“Accidents are reported according to a procedure manual which is standard across the country and the Municipality is provided a report as per the Accident Report, we cannot speculate or interrogate Accident reports based on feelings or political aspirations.”
Currently, Maphalala states that the insurance company is conducting its investigation, and once their findings have been concluded, they will advise accordingly.
“Pending their findings as Council we cannot comment any further until all investigations have been concluded,” Maphalala added.
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