01-08-2025
Protesters blockade uMkhanyakude Municipality
'The IFP caucus unequivocally condemns this short-sighted behaviour by individuals who appear to treat the municipality as their fiefdom.'
This was the statement made by IFP Whip in uMkhanyakude District Council, Cllr Sihle Ndlovu who claims individuals have blockaded the entrance to the uMkhanyakude District Municipality building.
ALSO READ: uMkhanyakude District Municipality challenges Cogta intervention
He says they are 'operating with impunity' by actively seeking to disrupt a legal and binding decision by the provincial government to intervene in the municipality.
'Our position, as clearly articulated during the special council meeting on 3 July, is that we fully support the Section 139(1)(b) intervention. We believe that any legal challenge to contest this lawful intervention constitutes a wasteful expenditure of taxpayers' money,' he said.
He says the blockade aims to prevent Administrator, Bamba Ndwandwe, from starting his crucial work of turning the municipality.
'The Municipal Manager's failure to cooperate with the Administrator has directly resulted in the non-payment of July salaries' he said.
Ndlovu called on the Municipal Manager to instruct security to open the municipal gates, granting employees and the public access to the offices.
Last week, uMkhanyakude Council Speaker, Solomon Mkhombo, said they were challenging the intervention in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, believing the KZN Legislature has not acted fairly.
The matter is scheduled to be heard on Friday.
Credit and debt collection failures
Ndlovu said they support the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Thulasizwe Buthelezi, for launching a forensic investigation into municipal matters.
MEC Buthelezi said the Auditor-General (AG) of South Africa, Tsakani Maluleke, requested the intervention due to the 'municipality's inability to implement a credit and debt collection policy' for a number of years, or take appropriate actions to address this.
Buthelezi said he was aware of the grave nature of the issues raised by the AG which were raised in the 23 July meeting.
'I hold the AG's office is in the highest regard, and am committed to acting in the interest of the residents of the uMkhanyakude District. These residents bear the brunt of failed service delivery due to a lack of governance, financial, and consequence management measures within the District.
'The AG has requested a formal report from the MEC by 15 August. I will abide by the AG's request and comply with the deadline given,' he said.
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