Latest news with #KwaDukuzaMunicipality
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- The Citizen
KDM official in custody for alleged hammer attack
KDM official in custody for alleged hammer attack A woman is in a coma after a KwaDukuza official, her husband, allegedly beat her with a hammer during a domestic dispute. Mlekeleli Gcabashe, a senior official at the KwaDukuza Municipality and former sub-region secretary, has been charged with attempted murder and remains in custody following his court appearance on Friday. The alleged assault occurred on Wednesday at a flat in KwaDukuza. The victim, who is also employed by the municipality, reportedly suffered multiple blows to the head and is currently in a coma in hospital. It is further alleged that another man who tried to intervene during the incident was also attacked by Gcabashe with the same weapon. Appearing in the KwaDukuza Magistrate's Court with a bandaged hand, Gcabashe claimed through his attorney that he was injured and required medical attention. The court remanded him in custody. He is expected to appear again next Friday. KwaDukuza Municipality had not released an official statement at the time of publication. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Mayor's R173k monthly security bill sparks outcry in KwaDukuza
A leaked municipal invoice detailing a R173 068.61 monthly personal security cost for KwaDukuza mayor Ali Ngidi drew widespread community criticism earlier this week. The invoice, which included the cost of four Pro Secure security guards for 24-hour protection at the mayor's residence for March, ignited a fierce debate about municipal spending. Security costs have often been a controversial topic in council, where opposition councillors have long lobbied for specific line items to detail how the R4-million monthly spend is allocated, but have been blocked. The municipality's security tender was also flagged in the last auditor-general report. While confirming the mayor's invoice amount as accurate, KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) spokesperson Sifiso Zulu said the cost was within the municipality's prescribed tender processes. 'The security service is procured in accordance with the annual notice gazetted by the Minister for the Determination of Upper Limits of salaries, allowances and benefits for different members of a Municipal Council,' he said. 'The contract in which Pro Secure was appointed by KwaDukuza Municipality was done through a competitive bidding process. The tender was awarded in compliance with the municipality's Supply Chain Management Policy.' Pro Secure has been KDM's sole security provider for a few years and also endured some recent controversy when company owner Ferrell Govender was arrested in connection to an Umhlanga murder in January. 'Any legal challenges or criminal charges against the director of Pro Secure do not invalidate the contract entered into with Pro Secure and KwaDukuza municipality,' said Zulu. 'Contract law has its own requirements for the validity of a contract. The municipality confirms that at the time of the appointment, there was no adverse report in the data base of National Treasury in respect of Pro Secure.' As for the need for four full time security guards, Zulu said it was 'common cause' that numerous threats had been made against the mayor. 'Some of these issues are in the records of the local police station, and some are before court. It is also public knowledge that there are other councillors whose residences are protected by security personnel, due to threats that have been reported,' he said. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
