Dolly Munien.
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THE Democratic Alliance (DA) has terminated the membership of Tongaat Ward 61 councillor Dolly Munien following an internal investigation into serious allegations of misconduct – that she had misappropriated Christmas vouchers intended for senior citizens.
Munien denies the allegations, claiming she was not given a fair opportunity to defend herself.
Speaking to the POST on Tuesday, DA KZN chairperson, Dean Macpherson, said the decision to terminate Munien followed an internal investigation into allegations that she had misappropriated Christmas vouchers intended for senior citizens.
“The DA confirms that it terminated the membership of Dolly Munien after receiving credible evidence that alleged she had misappropriated Christmas vouchers provided by the municipality for senior citizens,” said Macpherson.
He added that the evidence was thoroughly examined by the party’s disciplinary committee, which gave Munien an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
“This evidence was tested by our disciplinary committee which gave Munien an opportunity to respond and counter the evidence. She was unable to do so and found guilty of the charges,” he said.
Macpherson further alleged that Munien had acted contrary to the party’s principles by supporting another political organisation while remaining a DA member.
“Furthermore, Munien had been found to be advancing the agenda of another political party while being a DA member. The public expects us to hold DA public representatives to a high standard which Munien had failed to do,” he said.
Despite the matter, Macpherson said the party remained focused on its electoral goals in eThekwini.
“Our focus remains on ensuring that the DA is able to achieve an outright victory in eThekwini in the upcoming local elections and having credible public representatives is a vital step in this mission to rescue the municipality and provide services to communities which have long been forgotten by the ANC and small parties that keep them in power,” he said.
In a public statement issued on Tuesday, DA Councillor Nicole Bollman, said following the completion of the investigation, the DA's federal structures resolved to terminate Munien's membership.
Munien was advised of such on May 28.
According to a well informed source, Munien was also investigated for allegedly awarding projects and employment opportunities to family members, friends and associates, while excluding deserving community members.
“It was also alleged that she took senior citizen vouchers for herself. The investigation revealed that people who had died were still receiving the vouchers,” the source said.
The source claimed that residents had repeatedly raised concerns about the manner in which community employment opportunities were allocated.
“The community complained that Dolly was giving the jobs like that of community liaison officers, to friends and family only. These officers basically liaise with the public and contractors on the progress of projects. But it was found that the same person was allegedly found on multiple projects at the same time, receiving two salaries,” the source alleged.
The source also claimed that community members were frustrated by what they viewed as a lack of transparency in the awarding of contracts and project opportunities.
“The residents were also upset that these jobs were not advertised to the public and neither were announcements for local contractors to apply for projects. People need jobs but she allegedly sidelined the community and gave her relative a sewage project while removing a local contractor after him going right to the end of the process.”
The source alleged that questions were also raised regarding the distribution of senior citizens' vouchers, a programme intended to assist elderly residents during the festive season.
“She also gave vouchers meant for senior citizens to her family. She allegedly submitted names of deceased people to get more vouchers,” the source claimed.
“It is clear to see that the DA carried out an investigation and made up their minds. It is sad to see that the councillor did not do well by the community. She tried to make herself comfortable while taking from the needy. Munien has been serving the community in office since 2016 and it is sad to see her career end like this.”
However, Munien strongly denied the allegations and accused the DA of failing to provide her with a fair opportunity to defend herself.
“I was not afforded the opportunity to give my side of the story. The DA only listened to one side of the story, of the people who brought the allegations forward,” she claimed.
“My case was not listened to in a proper court of law and no witnesses were called in to testify. I was not given a chance to fight to clear my name.”
Munien said the allegations presented to her included claims that she promised residents jobs and attended meetings hosted by other political parties.
“Their allegations against me were that I promised people jobs as well as entertaining other political parties by attending their meetings which brought the DA into disrepute.
“I am the councillor to the community, I cannot help if residents from different parties invite me for meetings. I am for the people so I attend the meetings.”
Addressing the allegations surrounding senior citizens' vouchers, Munien denied any wrongdoing and maintained that she relied on information supplied by community organisations.
“They also said that I took the senior citizens vouchers for myself which is not true. They said that I took vouchers by putting names down of deceased people.
“Documents (voucher lists) were stolen from my office in November and the DA started calling people in December, to check if they did receive their vouchers. I was given a list of people from organisations and I give those people vouchers. I trust everything is correct so do not check in detail.”
Munien suggested that some recipients may have died after receiving vouchers, leading to confusion during subsequent verification processes.
“They said the issue was from 2024-2025. It would be fair to say that people could have died after they received the voucher and when they called after, they would have already been deceased but said I did some fraud.”
She further criticised the investigation process and claimed it lacked independence.
“My attorney is corresponding with the DA but they unethically terminated me without hearing my side. Those who investigated the case should have been independent people.”
Munien said she only became aware of her termination through an email and had not yet signed the document.
“The saddest part was that the DA did not even call me to say I was terminated. They sent an email at 5.45pm on Thursday saying that they have recommended that my membership be terminated with immediate effect.
“Ethically it should have come from proper DA channels. I have not even signed a termination document yet. I find it unfair that there are different rules for different people but I have affidavits to prove my innocence. These are just allegations,” she said.
The termination brings an end to Munien's tenure as Ward 61 councillor, a position she has held since 2016.