ANC's Behaviour at uMsunduzi Displays Disdain for Taxpayers

May 15, 2007

Inkatha Freedom Party says that the ANC's failure at uMsunduzi to speedily probe the R30 000 bribery allegations against Mr Themba Zungu - Head of the City's Corporate Strategy Planning (CSP) Committee - and other officials, displays a disdain for the taxpayers. The Party said this in a statement issued today, following news reports of infighting within the ANC around the allegations against Mr Zungu, as well as uMsunduzi Municipality's failure to probe these allegations. INkosi Bonga Mdletshe, IFP Spokesperson on Local Government and Traditional Affairs said:

"It is very disturbing that the ANC at uMsunduzi - instead of expediting their internal disciplinary process against Mr Themba Zungu and other officials - resort to infighting. What is worse however is the apparent reluctance by the ANC-led uMsunduzi Municipality to ensure a speedy disciplinary process, despite the fact that there are affidavits on the matter.

"In addition, we are disturbed by reports that meetings of the CSP Committee are either cancelled or postponed and that since before the Easter holidays, it has not met. This is fruitless expenditure and it deprives poor communities of the services they desperately need and deserve. Without any doubt, this behaviour displays a total disdain for the taxpayers of uMsunduzi.

"It is time Minister Mabuyakhulu is seen to be playing a leadership role in this situation for we are dealing with public funds here. Leadership calls on him to ensure that uMsunduzi Municipality acts swiftly on this matter in the interest of the government's much-publicised campaign against corruption. More so, Mr Zungu, like every other person, deserves to be given a fair and speedy hearing to determine whether or not he is guilty. We cannot afford to let this matter go on ad infinitum."


Issued by:
INkosi BN Mdletshe MPL 082 809 4550
IFP Spokesperson: Local Government and Traditional Affairs KwaZulu-Natal Legislature

For more information:
M. Joshua Mazibuko 072 927 0993