The IFP has slammed the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomusa Dube, for abusing her powers by interfering in the employment process of senior staff in some KZN municipalities.
IFP MP Prince Muntukaphiwana Zulu, said “The MEC has become both the player and referee when it comes to employing senior staff in the Abaqulusi municipality, especially the municipal manager. The MEC further recommended the appointment of Mr Thandolwakhe Manda as Administrator, who previously resigned from the Ntabankulu municipality due to financial mismanagement. His term expired last month but the MEC has extended his term until March next year. It is puzzling that the MEC could appoint a person who was acting as a municipal manager for 6 months”
“Mr Manda failed to bring change in the municipality since he took office, with the irregular and wasteful expenditure mounting to R20.1 million.
Yet what is most concerning is that no one has been arrested for failing to comply with the Financial Management Act” said Prince Zulu
The MEC is working outside the parameters of the constitution when it comes to taking decisions. She is not reporting to the Parliamentary Committee in the National Council of Provinces nor the Committee in the Provincial Legislature on her actions.
Prince Zulu further stated that “The council approved the employment of Dr Mthembu as a Municipal Manager, but the MEC decided not to co-operate. Now she has applied for a court interdict to prevent the employment of a municipal manager. The MEC only wants her cronies to be employed”
The IFP calls on for urgent investigation into the qualifications of senior directors in Abaqulusi municipality, as the Director of Corporates, Nhlanhla Maphumulo was appointed without presenting his CV to the council. It is evident that KwaZulu-Natal municipalities are chaotic and in need of an overhaul.
