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The Citizen
26-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
COGTA Committee demands accountability from Endumeni Municipality over corruption and audit failures
The Endumeni Municipality has come under renewed scrutiny following a visit by the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature's Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Portfolio Committee. The municipality, where municipal manager Sithembiso Ntombela was controversially promoted to the Premier's office despite being named in a COGTA forensic report into alleged tender corruption, drew sharp criticism during the oversight visit. Committee Chairperson Marlaine Nair described the municipality's recent audit outcome as 'damning', referring to a disclaimer audit opinion – the worst possible – and calling for urgent turnaround strategies. 'The municipality recorded R39 million in unauthorised spending, R228 million in debtor arrears, and electricity losses of 35%, which is far above acceptable norms,' Nair said. 'Budgets remain unfunded, Eskom debt is escalating, and internal systems are weak.' While the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) previously struggled to reach quorum, Nair noted improvements during the session and said the Committee had requested follow-up reports within two weeks. 'These hearings were not simply for complaints,' she added. 'We issued clear recommendations and set out practical follow-up actions. Oversight without enforcement is meaningless – we intend to hold this municipality accountable.' Nair confirmed the Committee would probe all sections of the Section 106 investigation report, as well as reports on consequence management and internal disciplinary proceedings. She also said she would follow up on allegations that performance bonuses were paid to senior officials despite severe governance failures. 'Anyone with credible evidence of corruption or maladministration can write to the MEC and request an investigation,' she added. Responding, FC Bester of the Endumeni Residents' Association said the community had already sent letters to the Premier's office calling for urgent intervention but received no reply. 'We will only believe that action is being taken once heads roll,' Bester concluded. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at [email protected]. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
DA demands tabling of forensic report into corruption at Endumeni Municipality
The resignation of Endumeni Municipal Manager Sithembiso Ntombela has intensified calls for transparency following a CoGTA report that revealed security tender corruption dating back to 2023. Ntombela stepped down amid a Section 106 forensic investigation. The probe reportedly found that FBL Security was appointed without following supply chain protocols; however, its findings have yet to be presented to the council. The report was finalised last year, but only presented to the Endumeni council in March of this year. The Courier has a copy of the report, and its findings were published last month. In it, the investigators recommend that two senior officials be charged, including Ntombela. DA caucus leader, Cllr Saleem Abdool, urged Speaker Andile Nsibande to present the report immediately and for councillors to act on its recommendations. 'Accountability must not be sacrificed for political expediency,' said a DA spokesperson. The party insists that due process be followed and that anyone implicated be held responsible. 'Throughout this term, the DA has pushed for clean governance and financial accountability. 'With public scrutiny at its peak, the party vows to continue advocating for a municipality that serves residents, not hidden agendas.' HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
