Durban — The ANC in Mzala Nxumalo region, KwaZulu-Natal, says it is encouraged by the stance taken by several political parties to stop the rot in various municipalities under the IFP-controlled Zululand District Municipality.
ANC Mzala Nxumalo regional secretary Ntokozo Nxumalo said despite coming from different political parties, it saluted such leaders for making a conscious decision to flush out criminal syndicates operating under the IFP banner.
“We support the decision of the national Standing Committee on Public Accounts to investigate the appointment of the municipal manager of Pongola Local Municipality, Bethuel Khali,” Nxumalo said.
He claimed the people of Pongola and qualified professionals, in particular, were waiting to hear whether mayor Velephi Skhosana had finally submitted outstanding documents to the provincial department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Nxumalo said they requested a submission on the details of the vacancy which includes date and reason for the vacancy; clear and readable job advert; exco recommendation to the council on the appointment of the municipal manager; governance verification report and verification report of Khali’s matric qualification.
Nxumalo said for too long they had been receiving information from IFP leaders and their supporters about a practice of elevating unqualified municipal workers into senior positions in these municipalities. He said some individuals in possession of fake qualifications, had been employed because they belonged to a dominant faction within the IFP. Nxumalo claimed this faction has apparently been given powers to loot municipal resources with impunity.
Countering the allegations by the ANC, IFP provincial chairperson Thami Ntuli said they were concerned about the effort of the ANC to try to drag down the IFP’s name. Ntuli said the municipal officials were not employed by factions but by municipalities. Ntuli added that impugning the name of the IFP on a matter of a council or administrative in nature was a misplaced agenda. He said the IFP never advocated for cadre deployment.
“The IFP understands these matters are under investigation and therefore we expect them to run their full course and arrive at their logical conclusion.”
Ntuli said the IFP thrived on transparency, was not afraid to be scrutinised and was committed to take consequences where deemed necessary.
Daily News