KZN Cogta MEC warns Msunduzi Municipality against hindering corruption probe
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
Image: KZN Cogta / Facebook
COOPERATIVE Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has taken the Msunduzi Municipality to task over its efforts to stall an investigation into allegations of corruption within the municipality.
Buthelezi wrote to the municipality, warning it to comply with the investigation or face consequences.
The Mercury has seen a letter the MEC sent to Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla, in which he warns the city to comply. In a public statement issued on Tuesday regarding the matter, the MEC stated he had issued similar directives for Section 106 investigations in KwaDukuza and Nongoma.
He said while the other municipalities were progressing with those investigations, Msunduzi appeared to be defying the instruction.
In his letter, the MEC warns Msunduzi against its attempts to block the investigation, stating that the law gives him the mandatory powers to act when requested by the minister of the same portfolio. He added that such action is mandatory, not discretionary.
He stated that the allegations made against the municipality are serious and, if true, must be corrected. "This investigation will enable the source of the problem to be identified and addressed."
ACDP councillor Rinues Niemand welcomed the MEC's commitment to immediately commence the Section 106 investigation.
“It is shocking that the ANC minority government, with the help of their equally corrupt partners, voted to use ratepayers' money to oppose the investigation. This was irresponsible, to say the least. The ACDP fully supports the investigation and will leave no stone unturned in exposing the rot that has beset Msunduzi. The ACDP again calls on the MEC to institute Section 139 (c) and disband an obviously incompetent council. The public may rest assured that the ACDP will at all times uphold the best interest of the ratepayers and indeed the citizens of the capital city of KZN without fear or favour.”
In a statement, Msunduzi mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla said the municipality has noted the public statement issued by Buthelezi regarding the Section 106 forensic investigation.
He stated that they are still engaging on the issue with Cogta.
“Given that correspondence is still pending between the parties, the municipality is not in a position to engage on the matter further in the media space at this stage. As the leadership, we reiterate that the Msunduzi Municipality remains committed to the principles of good governance, accountability, and cooperative governance in the interests of residents and stakeholders,” he said.