The appointment of former Endumeni Municipal Manager, Sithembiso Ntombela, to a senior position has sparked considerable controversy, following allegations of misconduct during his prior tenure.
Ntombela resigned from Endumeni Local Municipality on 30 May 2025, amidst a forensic investigation into the irregular awarding of a multimillion-rand security tender to FBL Security Company.
The investigation, detailed in a report by KwaZulu-Natal’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi, revealed that the tender process circumvented proper bidding procedures, with the appointment justified as an urgent necessity. The report implicated Ntombela and other officials in alleged fraud, corruption, and maladministration, recommending immediate disciplinary action. However, no measures were implemented within the 21-day period mandated by Buthelezi in March 2025, prompting Endumeni’s speaker, Andile Nsibande, to request an extension for further review.
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Furthermore, a political party, led by Endumeni constituency head Cllr Kristal Sturm, has vocally demanded accountability, characterising the appointment as a significant affront to governance standards. Sturm stated, “It is utterly unacceptable that someone under investigation for fraud and corruption can seamlessly transition to another high-level position without facing consequences. This undermines public trust and exposes systemic failures in municipal oversight.”
Adding to this, calls have been made for swift action from the CoGTA department to enforce the report’s recommendations, insisting that individuals implicated in such serious allegations must face consequences before assuming senior roles elsewhere.
This stance has intensified calls for transparency and robust measures to prevent similar occurrences.
Ntombela’s resignation, described as a move to “greener pastures,” has intensified public and stakeholder scrutiny, particularly as the forensic report remains untabled and unresolved. Endumeni Local Municipality, already contending with governance challenges, is under increasing pressure to address these allegations decisively. The CoGTA MEC is now expected to provide clear guidance on the next steps to restore confidence in the municipality’s administration.
In conclusion, the appointment of Ntombela to a new senior role, despite ongoing allegations and an unresolved forensic investigation into his previous conduct at Endumeni Local Municipality, underscores significant concerns regarding accountability and transparency within local governance.
This situation not only erodes public trust but also exposes potential systemic weaknesses in oversight mechanisms designed to prevent such transitions.
The unresolved nature of the multimillion-rand tender scandal and the calls for a thorough probe into those responsible further complicate Endumeni Local Municipality’s efforts to stabilise its administration.
As the municipality navigates these leadership challenges and awaits clear guidance from the CoGTA MEC, the imperative to address these allegations decisively remains paramount. Restoring public confidence hinges on the transparent resolution of these issues and the implementation of robust measures to safeguard municipal integrity going forward.
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One Response
This govt and the political party running Endumeni is not serious about cleansing itself with allegations of fraud, theft and maladministration. Appointment of someone who have been alleged to have not follow the law to the teeth is making the public to be concern on how these Municipality is going to clean itself. To steal and commit fraud seem to be the right thing this days and time. Staff are doing all sorts of wrong thing and so rude and cruel towards citizens and no consequence management. To steal is now a step ladder used by some officials that are being rewarded. Performance is out of the windows.