The IFP in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature has challenged KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala, to come out of the shadows and clarify issues that are overshadowing his Office.
Delivering his speech today in the KZN Legislature, during a debate on the Budget of the Office of the Premier, IFP MP, Mr Blessed Gwala, said “I want to call on the Hon. Premier to tell this House whether he denies or confirms that according to the Minutes of a meeting between Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Office of the Premier, and the Royal Household Trust, one Mbonisi Zulu was about to sign a 30-year farm lease agreement with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. What process was followed to come to that conclusion? Is this Prince Mbonisi Zulu, who acted as a King for 10 minutes after the demise of the late King? Is this the same person who is earning R25 000 a month from the Royal Household Trust? Is this Prince Mbonisi Zulu who is employed by COGTA as a Research Specialist, earning R600 000 a year? Was the appointment in accordance with the Labour Relations Act? Was the post advertised? Is Prince Mbonisi Zulu qualified enough to be appointed as a Research Specialist? Who are the other candidates that applied for the same job? Why were the other candidates disqualified? What are the responsibilities for Prince Mbonisi Zulu as a Research Specialist? How true is it that the driver of the vehicle for Queen MaZungu that was involved in an accident was not the right person to be behind a steering wheel, and that the vehicle was not insured? I direct these questions to you because the buck stops at your doorstep, as the Captain of the Ship, Hon. Premier.”
Gwala further stated that “The Budget that has been presented by the Hon. Premier seems to be enticing, however, the problems begin when projects are to be implemented. There is a lack of project monitoring.”
“Many projects that have failed were introduced with the aim of developing people and taking them out of poverty, yet have now turned into white elephants. For example, the Luwamba Project, a multi-million-rand project that was introduced in Ntambanana. Further, an incomplete multi-million-rand fresh produce tunnel project was abandoned in Maphumulo.”
“The project, which was launched in 2020, was left incomplete after an investment of about R8 million.”
“As we gather here today, no one has been held responsible for the failure of these projects. We have also been kept in the dark about the imposition of consequence management on those implicated in the alleged corruption, with regards to the funeral of the Nazareth Baptist Church Leader, Vela Shembe,” continued Mr Gwala.
“Therefore, there must be consequences for incompetence on the part of officials and contractors. The culture of embezzling public funds must stop. The Premier must remove the veil of secrecy,” concluded Mr Gwala.
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Contact
Mr Blessed Gwala, MPL
IFP Chief Whip in the KZN Legislature
078 290 5842
