A corruption scandal has rocked the uThukela District Municipality as multiple high ranking officials, including Mayor Cllr Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala and District Municipality’s Speaker Cllr Lihle Nqubuka, find themselves at the centre of attention.
The spotlight follows the submission of two independent forensic reports to the uThukela District Municipality for consideration by the council.
The Josiah Gumede Region’s ANC welcomed the submission of these reports, which reportedly implicate four District Municipal officials in acts of malfeasance, corruption, and maladministration. The investigations were conducted by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZN COGTA).
ANC Regional spokesperson Bheki Khanyile stated, “This report was shared with the municipality on 7 June 2023, which by law should be tabled before a sitting of council in order for members to consider the implications and act on the findings by the report. Instead, we have learned in a circular shared with all municipal officials of the suspension of 12 Officials from finance, corporate services and water and sanitation services.”
The ANC has expressed concern over the handling of the reports, suggesting that the suspensions of municipal workers are an attempt to divert attention and punish those who oppose maladministration, fraud, and corruption.
Khanyile believes that corrupt leaders are determined to exploit the municipality’s funds and that the involvement of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and other law enforcement agencies is necessary to thoroughly investigate the matter.
On Tuesday, 20 June 2023, KZN COGTA visited the uThukela District Municipality as the ANC pushes for disciplinary processes. The purpose of the visit was to meet with the Members of the Executive Committee (Exco) and Senior Officials from the District Municipality to address issues related to the municipality’s functioning.
MEC for KZN COGTA, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, who is responsible for the Section 139 (b) intervention in the District Municipality, stated, “We convened this meeting to give the municipality an opportunity to outline their challenges so that we can work together to find a way forward.” Sithole-Moloi further emphasised the importance of all municipalities adhering to the applicable legal requirements and confirmed that the uThukela District Municipality is facing numerous challenges hindering its ability to provide services to the community.
MEC Sithole-Moloi assured the public that the matters brought to their attention would be thoroughly investigated. While efforts are being made to restore stability to the municipality, KZN COGTA urged all parties involved to cooperate in the community’s best interest.
Share your thoughts on the situation in the comment section below.
