Latest news with #LocalGovernment:MunicipalSystemsAct
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
ANC leadership slammed over interference
Buffalo City ANC branch slams provincial secretary for meddling in mayor's decision to dismiss a committee member. Eastern Cape ANC leadership has come under sharp criticism from the party's Walter Sisulu ward 29 branch which complained about political interference in Buffalo City metro's affairs. Branch secretary Monde Tshalanga lashed out at provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi after he wrote to Buffalo City metro mayor Princess Faku instructing her to withdraw the dismissal of her mayoral committee member for sport, recreation and community development, Graham Lottering. Faku fired Lottering on 25 July, but Ngcukayitobi allegedly ordered her to reverse the decision. Branch rejects ANC interference in mayor's decision In a letter to Lottering, the mayor cited the councillor's interference in affairs of the portfolio's municipal directorate in contravention of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act. Faku is a member of the ANC branch which expressed concern about Ngcukayitobi's interference in her work. ALSO READ: Mbalula accused of taking sides in Buffalo City leadership revolt Tshalanga indicated it was not Ngcukayitobi's responsibility to tell a state institution like a municipality what to do. 'It is unprecedented that the ANC would issue an instruction to a government institution,' Tshalanga said. 'The political instruction by the provincial secretary to the executive mayor is shocking, unlawful political interference on the running of the municipality and contravenes the established organisational protocols [and] rules that guide the relationship between the organisation and its deployees to government.' 'It is unprecedented' He said the ANC had governance structures to ensure that there was broad accountability for the work of the ANC in government. The ANC has been managing the dichotomy of politics and the state very well, allowing the state to operate separately while the organisation focuses on its political work outside the state apparatus. ALSO READ: Buffalo City mayor urges foreign spaza owners to comply with SA laws Tshalanga accused Ngcukayitobi of usurping the mayor's constitutional executive power and breaching other laws on municipal governance. He said even the ANC constitution did not give Ngcukayitobi the power to supervise a government institution, contrary to his letter's implication. 'It is unprecedented for the ANC official to issue instructions to the executive mayor in this manner and this undermines the constitution and various laws. It also creates false perceptions about political management of the party and government relations. Party-state relations need sound, rational management 'The party-state relations need sound, rational management to safeguard and protect the integrity and independence of both the political organisation and the state.' The ANC in Dr WB Rubusana region is divided into two factions – one backing Faku, who is regional chair, and the other secretary Antonio Carelse. ALSO READ: ANC suspends membership of two Eastern Cape councillors
The Citizen
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Probe into rot at North West's Madibeng local municipality
A whistleblower's report has led to a formal probe into allegations of corruption and nepotism at Madibeng. Many years of maladministration, including allegedly unlawful appointments of officials and acts of nepotism at Madibeng local municipality in North West will come under scrutiny during a three-month investigation ordered by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa. The Citizen has, over the years, reported on many cases of alleged nepotism and unprocedural appointments of senior officials under mayor Douglas Maimane. Whistleblower raises alarm on irregular appointments The problem was also reported to the public protector several times by a concerned resident. North West MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs Oageng Molapisi is set to undertake the probe after Hlabisa's instruction. The matter was brought to the minister's attention by a whistleblower who raised alarm about endemic cases of irregular appointments of municipal officials and service providers. Spotlight on the appointment of Quiet Kgatla A prominent alleged irregular appointment was that of municipal manager, Quiet Kgatla. Attempts to have Kgatla's appointment reversed were frustrated by some councillors, apparently including Maimane, who stayed away from meetings, forcing the council not to quorate. A number of council sittings collapsed due to stayaways by some councillors when the matter was on the agenda. NOW READ: Court reinstatement of suspended Madibeng manager Quiet Kgatla Internal audit flags unqualified appointees and favouritism A recent internal risk-based audit review that found Kgatla had been irregularly appointed as he did not possess the prescribed qualifications – a bachelor's degree in public administration or political science, social sciences or law. However, the official, in addition to his matric certificate, possessed other qualifications – a BCom degree, BCom (honours) and CA (SA). The recruitment process was handled by Maimane's office. The audit expressed concern about possible favouritism or nepotism leading to questions about fairness and an equal opportunity recruitment process. The audit found that four other candidates were not shortlisted, although they met all the requirements for the position. It suggested that the matter be referred to Maimane to resolve. It was recommended that the Madibeng council reconsider Kgatla's appointment as it contravened the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act. The legislation provides for an appointment to be declared null and void if the person does not have prescribed skills, expertise, competencies or qualifications. Bypassing of supply chain processes leads to suspensions The audit also found Kgatla's appointment was done outside the corporate support services. In another case, three senior officials were suspended pending an investigation of possible misconduct. The officials, Ofentse Masilo, chief financial officer, Morufa Moloto and director of human settlements, Walter Phala, allegedly bypassed the supply chain management process and hired service providers irregularly last year. ALSO READ: North West's Madibeng municipality appeals ruling to reinstate 'suspended' official A forensic investigation recommended disciplinary action. Allegations of nepotism linked to mayor's family It was previously reported by The Citizen that Maimane allegedly hired members of his family to administrative positions in his office, including his daughter while a son was allegedly offered municipal contracts. He did not deny that his daughter was an employee in his office, but his son vehemently denied ever receiving any municipal contract. Molapisi confirmed that he had invoked Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act to investigate allegations of maladministration and malfeasance in Madibeng. He appointed a law firm to conduct the probe pertaining to irregular senior appointments and service providers. The MEC said the probe would start in three months. 'The allegations are of a serious nature and we expect councillors and officials of the municipality to cooperate and assist in providing the necessary information that will assist the investigation,' Molapisi said. He requested councillors to fully cooperate with the investigation. NOW READ: NWU eyes academic hospital as health department plans expansion
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Tshwane cleansing levy 'unfair double tax on residents', AfriForum
The Tshwane council, which passed its annual budget for the 2025/2026 financial year last month, approved the levy. Civil rights organisation AfriForum says the implementation of the new city cleaning levy would result in an 'unfair double tax on residents'. The lobby group is set to take the Tshwane Municipality to court to challenge the implementation of the new city cleaning levy. The Tshwane council, which passed its annual budget for the 2025/2026 financial year last month, included the introduction of an additional monthly charge to residents using private waste collection services. Cleaning levy A monthly levy of approximately R200 is expected to be imposed on all properties that do not currently utilise the metro's refuse removal service, effective 1 July. ALSO READ: Proposed cleaning levy sparks legal challenge in Tshwane Last week, AfriForum, through its legal team, requested the metro to halt the levy pending the formulation of an alternative agreement or until the legal proceedings are concluded. Legal action AfriForum's advisor for local government affairs, Deidré Steffens, said they want the new city cleaning levy reviewed. 'We approached the metro shortly after the council announced the plans for the levy in March this year and stressed that implementing it would result in an unfair double tax. We gave the metro the opportunity to rectify the matter, but now, due to the metro's failure to respond, we have no choice but to approach the court to have the decision reviewed. 'The levy is presented as a so-called service-related fee. However, it is in reality an additional tax that owners must pay on top of the existing property tax that is used to finance non-revenue-generating services, such as street and neighbourhood cleaning,' Steffens said. 'Punishing residents' AfriForum argues that the levy is not based on the level of usage as required by Section 74(2)(b) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act. The organisation further points out that the levy unfairly targets residents and businesses that do not use the municipal refuse collection service due to the metro's inefficient service delivery. AfriForum's district coordinator for Pretoria South, Arno Roodt, maintains that the metro wants to 'punish residents for its inability to balance the city's budget. 'Rather than addressing the underlying causes of budget deficits, the metro is simply shifting the burden onto taxpayers, especially those who do not make use of the metro's inefficient service'. Roodt added that AfriForum has submitted numerous proposals to the metro, suggesting ways to generate additional revenue based on actual usage, 'but the metro has turned a deaf ear to this.' NOW READ: Pretoria High Court plunged into darkness after power outage
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Local Authority Notice Draft Review of the Off Campus Student Accommodation Policy for The City of Mbombela
SPONSORED | Local Authority Notice Draft Review of the Off Campus Student Accommodation Policy for The City of Mbombela Notice is hereby given in terms of section 21(1) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), that the City of Mbombela is reviewing its Off Campus Student Accommodation Policy, on which public comment is being sought. Copies of the Draft Student Accommodation Policy Review will lie open for inspection during normal office hours for 30 days from date of publication of this notice at the City Planning Department, Spatial Planning and GIS unit at Civic Centre, 1 Nel Street, 2nd Floor, Rooms 217 and 219. Copies of the Draft Student Accommodation Policy Review will also be available at the reception of the Mbombela Regional Offices in the various administrative regions. The Draft Student Accommodation Policy Review will also be available for download at the following website address: Any comment/representation/objection in respect of the Draft Student Accommodation Policy Review may be submitted in writing for the attention of Mr B Ntuli and Z Mamali at the Spatial Planning unit at the above address by hand or by registered post (PO Box 45, Mbombela, 1200), or by email ( / tel no: 013 759 2312 and / tel no: 013 759 9379), within 30 days from date of publication of this notice. Any enquiries may also be directed to the above persons. The City of Mbombela will be running public participation sessions, to which you are invited to learn more about this initiative and provide your suggestions and comments. SATISO SEMKHANDLU DOLOBHA I-CITY OF MBOMBELA MACONDZANA NEMGOMO WEKUCASHISWA KWEBAFUNDZI LABANGAHLALI EMANYUVESI Lesatiso sikhishwa ngekulandzela sicephu 21(1) semtsetfo we-Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), kutsi umkhandlu dolobha we-City of Mbombela ubuyeketa umtsetfo macondzana nemgomo wekucashiswa kwebafundzi labangahlali emanyuvesi lapho umkhandlu ulindzele kuva luvo lwemphakatsi mayelana nalomgomo. Lomculu lokhuluma ngalomgomo lohlongotwako wekucashiswa kwebafundzi uyatfolakala ngetikhatsi tekusebenta emahhovisi amasipala, kulabo labafisa kuveta luvo lwabo ngalomgomo, bangawutfola kulamahhovisi – City Planning Department, Spatial Planning naka GIS eCivic Centre, 1 Nel Street, 2nd Floor, Rooms 217 and 219. Ungaphindze utfolakale lomculu kuto tonkhe tikhungo tamaspala emahhovisini lemukela tivakashi. Lenye indlela lengaba melula kuwutfola kungaba kuwebsite yamaspala: Yonkhe imibono, tiphakamiso nemibono lengahambisani nalomgomo lohlongotwako wekucashiswa kwebafundzi tingaletfwa tibhaliwe emahhovisini aboMnumzane B Ntuli na Z Mamali ka Spatial Planning kulelikheli lelingenhla noma bangawatfumela ngeliposi lelibhalisiwe ku P.O. Box 45, Mbombela, 1200 noma ngema e-mail ku ( Tel No: 013 759 2312 and No: 013 759 9379), kungakapheli emalanga langema 30 kusukela kulelilanga lekushicilelwe ngalo lesatiso. Umkhandlu dolobha we-City of Mbombela utawube uchuba tikhatsi tekuhlanganyela kwemmango. Uyamenywa kutsi ufundze kabanti ngalesinyatselo futsi unikete tiphakamiso Kanye nemibono. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
16-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Endumeni municipality sitting on damning report alleging corruption
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.'
