Latest news with #AliNgidi
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
KwaDukuza Municipality 'rudderless', calls for Section 154 intervention grows
Opposition parties call for Section 154 in the embattled KwaDukuza Municipality. Image: Facebook Opposition parties in the embattled KwaDukuza Local Municipality have called on the provincial government to place the municipality under Section 154 as the ANC struggled to replace its fired mayor. According to a parliamentary document, Section 154 obligates national and provincial governments to strengthen municipal capacity, ensuring that municipalities can manage their affairs, exercise their powers, and fulfil their functions effectively. This support may take the form of legislative measures, financial assistance, and technical guidance, all aimed at enhancing local governance and ensuring sustainable municipal operations. The municipality has been without a political head since the resignation of mayor Ali Ngidi and his deputy Njabulo Cele two weeks ago. Attempts to elect a new mayor failed two weeks ago following an apparent revolt by ANC councilors who were said to be unhappy with the party's decision to bring back two former mayors Sduduzo Gumede and Lindiwe Nhaca as the new mayor and deputy mayor respectively. The meeting was cancelled at the last minute and the ANC said it was because of Luthuli House's intervention after the mother body reminded the provincial structure about interviews which first had to be conducted by the team of the National Working Committee. However, sources within the municipality said the meeting was cancelled after the ANC leadership learned that there were 10 councillors who were going to boycott the meeting and this would have given the opposition an opportunity to take over. ActionSA councillor Halalalisani Ndlovu said his party had already written to KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs' MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, to send a Section 154 team to take over, especially the financial administration of the municipality. Ndlovu said that his party's concerns stemmed from the fact that the finance committee has not met for two months because of uncertainty created by the ANC's dismissal of the mayor and his deputy. He stated that there were committee meetings that had to be cancelled because the mayor, as the chairperson, was not there. Ndlovu further stated that the last committee meeting was held in June, during which the agenda from May was still being considered. Since then, there have been no meetings to address matters for June or July. He said on July 25 — the day on which a meeting was again scheduled - it was postponed without explanation. 'The next meeting, according to the official calendar, is only set for 20 August. This means three consecutive months of committee inaction on key governance, budget and performance issues. 'In terms of Section 154 of the Constitution, I hereby request that your office urgently asses the governance and administrative functioning of the Finance Committee and provides appropriate support to restore its operations. "Furthermore, in light of the municipality's failure to fulfil its executive obligations, I ask that your department considers whether a Section 139(1)(b) (provincial) intervention may be warranted, should these issues persist unresolved," said Ndlovu. Weighing in on the matter, DA caucus leader Privi Makhan said the municipality was now a rudderless ship that cannot deliver for the people because the ANC is no longer capable of leading it. 'The DA reiterates our call to all opposition parties, if we are truly serious about rescuing this municipality, we must act together now,' said Makhan.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
KwaDukuza Municipality in disarray: Calls for Section 154 intervention
Opposition parties call for Section 154 in the embattled KwaDukuza Municipality. Image: Facebook Opposition parties in the embattled KwaDukuza Local Municipality have called on the provincial government to place the municipality under Section 154 as the ANC struggles to replace its fired mayor. The municipality has been without a political head since the resignation of mayor Ali Ngidi and his deputy Njabulo Cele two weeks ago. Attempts to elect a new mayor failed two weeks ago following an apparent revolt by ANC councilors who were said to be unhappy with the party's decision to bring back the former mayor Sduduzo Gumede and former mayor Lindiwe Nhaca. The meeting was cancelled at the last minute and the ANC said it was because of Luthuli House's intervention after the mother body reminded the provincial structure about interviews which first had to be conducted by the team of the National Working Committee. However, sources within the municipality said the meeting was cancelled after the ANC leadership learned that there were 10 councillors who were going to boycott the meeting and this would have given the opposition an opportunity to take over. ActionSA councillor Halalalisani Ndlovu said his party had already written to KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi to send a Section 154 team to take over, especially the financial administration of the municipality. Ndlovu said that his party's concerns stem from the fact that the finance committee has not met for two months because of uncertainty created by the ANC's dismissal of the mayor and his deputy. He stated that there were committee meetings that had to be cancelled because the mayor, as the chairperson, was not there. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Ndlovu further stated that the last committee meeting was held in June, during which the agenda from May was still being considered. Since then, there have been no meetings to address matters for June or July. He said on July 25 — the day on which a meeting was again scheduled - it was postponed without explanation. 'The next meeting, according to the official calendar, is only set for 20 August. This means three consecutive months of committee inaction on key governance, budget and performance issues. 'In terms of Section 154 of the Constitution, I hereby request that your office urgently asses the governance and administrative functioning of the Finance Committee and provides appropriate support to restore its operations. Furthermore, in light of the municipality's failure to fulfil its executive obligations, I ask that your department considers whether a Section 139(1)(b) intervention may be warranted, should these issues persist unresolved," said Ndlovu. Weighing in on the matter, DA caucus leader Privi Makhan said the municipality is now a rudderless ship that cannot deliver for the people because the ANC is no longer capable of leading it. 'The DA reiterates our call to all opposition parties, if we are truly serious about rescuing this municipality, we must act together now,' said Makhan.
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC orders KwaDukuza mayor to repay taxpayers' money
KwaDukuza mayor Ali Ngidi and his deputy Njabulo Cele have been ordered to pay back municipal funds they splurged on luxury vehicles hire which was not approved by the council. Image: Facebook Opposition parties in the embattled KwaDukuza Local Municipality north of KwaZulu-Natal have welcomed the removal of the mayor and his deputy as well as the instruction to pay back all the taxpayers' money that the pair abused while in office. On Wednesday evening, ANC provincial task team coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu summoned the party caucus, where he presented the report and the recommendations of the team that the party had appointed in April to investigate the reported abuse of privileges by both the mayor, Ali Ngidi and his deputy Njabulo Cele. Besides removing the pair from their positions, the ANC also ordered them to pay back the money they splurged on luxury vehicles since assuming office in November without council approval. The report that was presented to council in April showed that from November to February the mayor had spent R497,180,10 while his deputy had spent R527,720,13 which meant the municipality was paying R17,590 on the vehicle hire. Furthermore, the ANC ordered Ngidi to pay for fuel use of the mayoral car which was used to transport his family, particularly his children to school. Ngidi will also have to pay for the security firm that guarded his home- this was also not approved by the council. It was reported that the Durban-based security company was billing the municipality R173,000 for eight guards that were stationed at the mayor's house day and night. It is not clear for how long the company had guarded his home. Reacting to the ANC's announcement on Wednesday, the DA's caucus leader Privi Makhan said her party welcomed the decision, describing it as long overdue. 'The DA in KwaDukuza welcomes the long-overdue removal of former Mayor Ali Ngidi, whose time in office was marked by scandal, arrogance, and a blatant disregard for the people he was elected to serve. Over the last eight months, Mayor Ngidi brought the Office of the Mayor into utter disrepute. Under his watch, service delivery collapsed and basic municipal functions deteriorated while he embarked on a relentless pursuit to support events and vanities designed to boost his personal image,' said Makhan Also weighing in, ActionSA councillor Halalisani Ndlovu said his party was vindicated by the ANC decision that the mayor and his deputy must pay back the money they used illegally. He said his party had been calling for the docking of the mayor and his deputy's salaries because the hiring of luxury vehicles was never approved by the council. 'For now we know they have to pay just over a million for care hire costs and we are still waiting for a full report on the security company costs and mayoral car fuel costs that was used by the mayor's family. I think the mayor alone will pay more than a million,' said Ndlovu. ANC spokesperson Fanle Sibisi said the total costs to be paid by the mayor and his deputy will be determined by the council after proper consolidation.
The Citizen
28-06-2025
- The Citizen
Murdered KDM official identified as rising star Nokulunga Mashabane
Nokulunga Mashabane, a senior municipal official, was found murdered in her car on Friday, prompting a murder investigation and tributes from Mayor Ali Ngidi. Mashabane (31) was discovered on the Zinkwazi Link Road around 1.30am with gunshot wounds to the head and neck. KwaDukuza police confirmed that a case of murder is being investigated. No arrests have been made. KwaDukuza mayor Ali Ngidi expressed his shock, describing Mashabane as a 'rising star' in local government. Ngidi described her as humble, respectful, professional and deeply committed to her work. He said the two had spoken the day before at a school function and were due to meet again at a Youth Month event on Friday. Mashabane began her municipal career in 2019 as a secretary in the communications department and recently rose to a position in the mayor's office, overseeing intergovernmental relations and protocol. Originally from KwaMshibe in Maphumulo, she held qualifications in public relations from DUT and was studying towards an honours degree with UNISA. Ngidi said Mashabane was known for her grace, work ethic and passion for public service. 'She was so gentle she wouldn't hurt a fly, and yet she was met with such unimaginable brutality.' He called for calm and urged the public to avoid speculation while police investigations continue. 'Violence against women and children has become so pervasive that in some circles it is viewed as normal, and that is unacceptable. We must let the law take its course and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.'
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Security scandal puts Ali Ngidi's position as KwaDukuza mayor at risk
The KwaDukuza Municipality is under ANC scrutiny after security tender scandal. Image: Facebook Barely six months after being appointed as the mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality, on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Ali Ngidi's job appears to be on the line as the team appointed by his party, the ANC, to investigate allegations of abuse of power is wrapping up its work. The team that is already on the ground gathering information on how the municipality secured a security contract to protect the mayor's house without the council's approval and police threat assessment is expected to wrap up its investigation by the end of the week. The party's investigation was prompted by the leaked March invoice, where the Durban-based security company was billing the municipality for monthly costs of eight guards who are protecting the mayor's house 24 hours a day. However, the opposition parties denied any knowledge of the security threats to the mayor, which could have led the council to approve his home protection at such a high cost. The leaked invoice revealed that the municipality was parting with R173 000 a month for the mayor's home protection. Sources within the General Gizenga Mpanza region, which KwaDukuza falls under, said it will be a miracle if Ngidi remains in his position as the party desperately wants to redeem itself for next year's local government elections. A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that since Ngidi's appointment in November, the municipality has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons and is at the centre of almost every negative story. 'If you look at the provincial task team's statement last week when it announced that it was launching an investigation, it said that this security contract matter and other allegations circulating on social and other media platforms are quite troubling for the ANC as they directly conflict with the party's renewal and rebuilding programme. 'So if found that the procedure to procure the contract was not followed, the ANC will remove it immediately,' said the source. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The regional secretary, Siphesihle Zulu, appeared to be concurring with the source's view on the future of the municipality leadership. Zulu said the ANC will not hesitate to take corrective measures to the satisfaction of the people of KwaDukuza if the investigation reveals any wrongdoing on all these matters that have been in the public domain about the municipality leadership. 'We can confirm that the team that was appointed by the provincial leadership last week hit the ground running immediately. We are expecting its report soon, it's just that there were many holidays in between the seven days it was allocated to finish its work. We want to assure the people of KwaDukuza that the ANC will take firm and corrective measures if the investigative team recommends them,' said Zulu.
