logo
Endumeni municipality sitting on damning report alleging corruption

Endumeni municipality sitting on damning report alleging corruption

TimesLIVE16-05-2025

The IFP leadership in Endumeni local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal is sitting on a damning report on the findings of an forensic investigation which implicates councillors, officials and a municipal manager in fraud, corruption and maladministration relating to the awarding of a multimillion-rand security tender.
The fraud relates to the controversial awarding of a security tender to FBL security company from Newcastle, relying on sections of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act. The law allows municipalities to appoint companies without following proper bidding processes on the basis that the appointment is urgent.
TimesLIVE is in possession of the findings of the report which was first issued in April last year. For more than a year, the trouble-torn Endumeni municipality has not yet acted against those implicated.
The report was released when Bongi Sithole-Moloi was still the KwaZulu-Natal Cogta MEC. The province now has a new MEC, Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
On March 7, Buthelezi gave the Endumeni council 21 days to act against those implicated but nothing happened.
The findings revealed that the appointment of FBL was irregular and recommended that those implicated be hauled over the coals.
Buthelezi said his department has received a sworn affidavit with annexures that was compiled by a whistle-blower outlining allegations of fraud, corruption and maladministration which occurred in Endumeni in respect of the appointment of FBL which rendered protection services.
'The investigation has been concluded and a final report has been prepared with recommendations as to the corrective actions that are deemed necessary. There is an obligation on the council to implement necessary measures,' said Buthelezi.
The findings also established that there was a corrupt relationship between Endumeni officials and FBL. The former municipal manager, Linda Hlongwane, who is also implicated in the report, is quoted as saying he was under pressure to appoint the company that has a relationship with politicians.
The auditor-general also stated that payments made to FBL were irregular expenditure.
Despite that, the municipality continued to pay FBL.
Among those implicated in the alleged fraud and corruption is municipal manager Sthembiso Ntombela. Ntombela signed the letter appointing FBL while Hlongwane, the former municipal manager, initiated processes to appoint FBL.
Contacted for comment, Ntombela admitted he signed the appointment letter but declined to comment further and referred other questions to the speaker, Andile Nsibande.
Nsibande said he was aware of the report on and findings of the forensic investigation and a report from the office of Buthelezi but said the municipality had asked for an extension to look at Buthelezi's report as a council.
KwaZulu-Natal Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said the speaker of Endumeni had requested an extension for council to deal with the report, adding that the extension was granted.
ANC chief whip in the Endumeni council Sphamandla Kheswa said it was disconcerting to watch the municipality being destroyed.
Endumeni is one of the worst performing municipalities in the province and is sitting on a disclaimer audit finding from the auditor-general.
'It is sad that this is allowed to happen by the relevant authorities including the MEC Buthelezi, whose department is constitutionally mandated to oversee and support municipalities, as well as the premier of KZN as the ultimate executive authority in the province,' said Kheswa.
Kheswa said the officials implicated in serious fraud, corruption and maladministration allegations, were still allowed to roam free and preside over the affairs of the municipality and destroy whatever evidence that might be remaining.
Head of provincial government communications Bongani Gina said: 'The premier does not in anyway interfere with operations in municipalities outside the prescription of the law. The premier entrusted all local government matters to the Cogta MEC.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Police captain accused of raping a 20-year-old woman trainee and sexually assaulting another granted R8,000 bail
Police captain accused of raping a 20-year-old woman trainee and sexually assaulting another granted R8,000 bail

The Herald

timean hour ago

  • The Herald

Police captain accused of raping a 20-year-old woman trainee and sexually assaulting another granted R8,000 bail

The Pretoria magistrate's court has granted R8,000 bail to a 59-year-old police captain from the Pretoria Police Training Academy, who is accused of raping a 20-year-old woman trainee and sexually assaulting another. The officer allegedly raped the trainee on May 6 and sexually assaulted another trainee in March. The incidents allegedly took place in his office at the training college. Police spokesperson Lizzy Suping said on May 6 the 20-year-old trainee was allegedly walking with her colleagues to their sleeping quarters when the captain called her to his office. 'In the office, the captain allegedly locked the door and told the trainee if she did not sleep with him he would serve her with a misconduct letter regarding an incident that allegedly happened in April, where the captain accused the trainee of failing to salute him.' Suping noted that on trends of cases of rape by police officers from the previous financial year, Gauteng is leading with just under 30 cases reported. 'Though other provinces experienced a decline in these cases, Gauteng's cases increased by about 35%. Reported cases of rape by police officers while on duty is also higher compared with rape when officers are off-duty,' she said. TimesLIVE

​IFP leader Hlabisa describes slain MP Khethamabala Sithole as a 'gentle giant'
​IFP leader Hlabisa describes slain MP Khethamabala Sithole as a 'gentle giant'

Eyewitness News

timea day ago

  • Eyewitness News

​IFP leader Hlabisa describes slain MP Khethamabala Sithole as a 'gentle giant'

JOHANNESBURG - IFP Leader Velenkosini Hlabisa has remembered the party's slain deputy chief whip Khethamabala Sithole as a gentle giant in his final farewell to the 68-year-old. Hlabisa delivered the eulogy at Sithole's funeral in Nkandla in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where thousands of mourners gathered on Sunday. ALSO READ: 2 suspects arrested in connection with IFP MP Khethamabala Sithole's murder Sithole was gunned down at the Bayafuthi hostel in Joburg's East Rand over a week ago. Two men, aged 30 and 32, have been arrested in connection with the murder. Hlabisa says Sithole was the epitome of an IFP member - always level-headed and seeking reconciliation in all circumstances. He says Sithole's dedication to inspiring the youth through sports will be missed, adding his participation in the Comrades Marathon on more than one occasion was a true show of character as someone who was always committed and dedicated. Sithole's death comes less than a year after the death of another prominent IFP leader, Princess Sibuyiselwe Buthelezi, the youngest daughter of IFP founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Hlabisa says the party is poorer after both losses. Other political parties also hailed Sithole for his dedication to public service and ethical leadership. While arrests have been made in the matter, the motive remains unclear.

Police sergeant arrested in connection with kidnapping of Free State school pupil
Police sergeant arrested in connection with kidnapping of Free State school pupil

TimesLIVE

time2 days ago

  • TimesLIVE

Police sergeant arrested in connection with kidnapping of Free State school pupil

Free State police have made a breakthrough in the case of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi who was allegedly kidnapped by two men posing as police officers on Thursday. According to the police, a 42-year-old police sergeant has been arrested and detained in Bloemfontein in connection with the kidnapping. He is expected to appear in court soon. Free State police commissioner Lt-Gen Baile Motswenyane said the investigation has now entered a crucial phase. 'The involvement of any SAPS member in criminal acts will not be tolerated. Culprits will be held accountable — even if they are within our own ranks,' said Motswenyane. According to a TimesLIVE report, the complainant, Daniel Malebatso, allegedly arrived at Martie du Plessis Special School in Fichardt Park as usual to fetch Baukudi, a grade 11 pupil at the school. Provincial police spokesperson Lt-Col Thabo Covane said the two left the school premises with Baukudi driving the Suzuki Ertiga. While driving on Vereeniging Drive in Ehrlich Park, Malebatso alleged they heard a siren sound from behind and were pulled over by occupants in a white Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab. Covane said inside the Toyota Hilux, there were two unknown men, one wearing a police uniform and the other a blue tracksuit. The suspects' bakkie was allegedly fitted with blue lights on the grill and what appeared to be a police radio inside. Covane said the suspect wearing a police uniform told Malebatso the Suzuki Ertiga they were driving was suspected of delivering drugs. The suspects then allegedly separated Baukudi and Malebatso and instructed Malebatso to drive his vehicle in front while they followed to the Park Road police station. 'The two vehicles turned back and drove in a westerly direction on Vereeniging Drive. Malebatso alleged a truck moved in between the two vehicles and he did not see the Hilux again. He said one suspect was speaking Sesotho fluently and mentioned the name 'Thipe'. Cellphones belonging to Baukudi and Malebatso were found under a bridge on Ferreira Road.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store