23rd August, 2007

The IFP has been outraged by yet another calculated intervention by the MEC for Local Government in an IFP-controlled KwaZulu Natal municipality. 

The MEC has notified the Emadlangeni (Utrecht) Municipality of a pending intervention in terms of section 139 of the Constitution, alleging mismanagement, maladministration, fraud and corruption. 

“The allegations are serious but are they really the reason for a ministerial intervention when mismanagement, maladministration, fraud and corruption are routinely condoned by the MEC in ANC-controlled councils?” - said IFP KwaZulu Natal provincial Deputy Chairman Blessed Gwala MPP. 

The IFP contends that the ruling party’s double standards in dealing with KwaZulu Natal municipalities of varying political colours are well-documented. 

“At the slightest sign of political tussle in an IFP-run municipality a ministerial intervention ensues. ANC-controlled councils, on the contrary, can disintegrate under the weight of mismanagement and corruption and the MEC will not take any notice. There is Abaqulusi and Utrecht on the one hand and there is Pietermaritzburg and Kokstad on the other,” said Gwala. 

The IFP is convinced that the ANC’s hunger for power precedes the party’s concern about maladministration in local government. 

“The ruling party is determined to use any underhand tactics to seize the control of those municipalities which it failed to carry in the 2006 local government elections,” said Gwala. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Blessed Gwala
078 690 5777