Latest news with #Umzinyathi
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Struggle veterans in Endumeni call on municipalities to respect constitutional rights
ANC struggle veterans and members of the ANC Women's League gathered in Dundee last week to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela and reflect on the sacrifices made during South Africa's liberation struggle. The joint engagement also served as a platform for raising urgent concerns around governance, service delivery and constitutional rights. Addressing the gathering, local struggle veteran Mzwakhe Sithebe said: 'The exorbitant billing by Umzinyathi, along with misleading estimates, continues to frustrate residents. There is a serious lack of public participation within both Umzinyathi and Endumeni municipalities. This is unacceptable.' Sithebe expressed full support for the community's pending legal action against the municipality for its failure to provide water. 'An increasing number of areas in Endumeni are experiencing dry taps. This is a clear violation of Sections 24 and 27 of the Constitution. The constitutional mandate is not being honoured.' He added that the 'renewed ANC is not inward-looking but responsive to people's needs', stressing that members are committed to building a party that remains a servant of the people. Other key concerns raised during the meeting included: The slow progress on land restitution, which members said must be prioritised to build a responsive state; Allegations of nepotism in municipal appointments, with preference reportedly given to relatives of officials; Councillors failing to hold regular constituency meetings; The absence of genuine public participation in local government despite it being a cornerstone of democracy outlined in the Freedom Charter and Section 152 of the Constitution. Sithebe concluded: 'The call that 'the people shall govern' must be more than just words. Our municipalities must reflect the will and needs of our communities.' 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
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
CoGTA flags dire audit findings as Umzinyathi racks up over R1bn in irregular spending
CoGTA flags dire audit findings as Umzinyathi racks up over R1bn in irregular spending The embattled Umzinyathi District Municipality has come under renewed scrutiny after it was revealed that the institution has incurred more than R1 billion in irregular expenditure, alongside R323 million in unauthorised spending and R42 million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure. The revelations came during an oversight visit by the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature's Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Portfolio Committee, which placed Umzinyathi firmly in the spotlight. Residents in the district have repeatedly raised concerns over the unreliable water supply, with some areas—including Sibongile, Wasbank, and Glencoe—experiencing days without access to water. Committee chairperson Marlaine Nair, speaking to the Courier after the meeting, described the situation as 'deeply concerning,' saying the municipality's persistent failures undermine both public trust and service delivery. 'We are extremely concerned that Umzinyathi continues to receive adverse audit opinions from the Auditor-General, despite being under administration since 2016,' said Nair. She confirmed that this marks the third consecutive year the municipality has received an adverse opinion, signalling that its financial statements are unreliable and that there is ongoing non-compliance with legislation. The municipality has also presented unfunded budgets for three consecutive years and is facing a severe cash flow crisis, which puts basic services—including water provision—at risk. Despite spending over R1 billion on water infrastructure, major backlogs remain, with many projects stalled and infrastructure in disrepair. The municipal manager was suspended earlier this year, while Mayor Ngubane resigned, adding to the instability. 'We've requested detailed reports within two weeks, including updates on Section 106 investigations into alleged corruption. We do, however, welcome the co-operation received from leadership and confirmation that the 2025/2026 budget is finally funded,' Nair 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.
