Media Statement
The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal calls for the dissolution of the King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM) Executive, with immediate effect, following yet another court ruling against this Municipality.
This follows a recent labour court ruling, which ordered this Municipality to reinstate Water and Sanitation Services South Africa (WSSA), pay all court expenses – which could amount to millions – and reinstate all its employees as per the section 197 rule.
The IFP cannot tolerate the blatant misuse of taxpayers’ money in funding futile court cases. Instead of providing services and bringing development to the local community, this Municipality is caught up in a water tender procurement debacle between WSSA, Umgeni Water, Midmar Plant Hire. Following the abrupt end of its contract, WSSA took KCDM to labour court.
IFP local leadership has called for co-operation with the Municipality but this was in vain. I personally penned an open letter to Premier Sihle Zikalala during the protests resulting from water supply cuts in this Municipality in March. However, there was no positive feedback and to date, locals have remained without water. This is happening right under the nose of the Mayor and her Municipal Manager – who also served as a Board Member at Umgeni Water at the time of the awarding of the contract to Umgeni Water.
The IFP is on record for registering its disquiet about the conflict of interest on the part of the Municipal Manager, Mrs Mbali Ndlovu, in this matter. Her scheming, dishonest tactics and double interests have robbed the KCDM of their basic right of access to water.
We call upon COGTA MEC Hlomuka to dissolve the incumbent executive, and to replace it with officials who are committed to provide services and development to the community.
This is not the first case against this Municipality. The Municipality continues to be in contempt of court with regard to the Midmar Plant Hire matter. If the said company finally wins this case, the Municipality will again incur serious expenses. Already more than R7 million has been spent on this matter alone.
It is also sad that the Director of Technical Services, Mr Atwell Sbusiso Makhanya, has resigned because he could not tolerate the corruption and the undermining of the rule of law under his watch.
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Contact:
Contact:
Mr Blessed Gwala
IFP Spokesperson for Community Safety and Liaison
078 290 5842
