The IFP in KZN is calling on the newly elected KZN COGTA MEC, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, to desist from abusing her position to influence critical decisions in favour of the ANC, at the cost of service delivery in local government.
The decision by the MEC to prematurely get involved in the governance of the IFP-run Maphumulo and Nongoma Municipalities constitutes total overreach.
ANC Councillors wanted to make political changes in the leadership of Nongoma and Maphumulo Municipalities, but they failed to follow internal processes in petitioning Speakers of the two Municipalities to convene special Council Meetings.
Instead, they jumped the gun, and wrote to the ANC MEC, seeking her unnecessary intervention to force the Councils and Speakers to convene these Meetings.
It is against this background that the IFP in KZN wishes to express its unhappiness with how Sithole-Moloi has chosen to handle the Maphumulo and Nongoma Municipality matters.
Instead of first conducting an independent investigation on both these Municipalities before acting, she opted instead, to only listen to the side of her ANC comrades.
The MEC and her Office are supposed to be custodians of the rule of law and local government systems. They should seek to amicably resolve challenges in local government, in a fair and agreeable manner – without being manipulated by biased narratives of ANC comrades.
Now, due to the MEC’s premature overreach, the special Council Meeting in Maphumulo last Friday ran aground, and we expect similar results in Nongoma, because due processes have not been followed.
We therefore challenge the MEC to employ the same energy to expedite and resolve the uMkhanyakude District matter, where the ANC is unlawfully occupying positions that should be occupied by the IFP. In uMkhanyakude, the voters demanded change and voted the ANC out of power.
Unfortunately, the elaborate stalling tactics of the ANC are now delaying service delivery, as the Budget cannot be passed.
The IFP in KZN further challenges Sithole-Moloi to display due diligence and ethical leadership when dealing with government and local governance matters, at all times.
All Councillors – including those from the ANC – must follow the legally-required channels and processes, as enshrined in the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act. The MEC must not jeopardise the dignity of her new Office through decisions based on the desperation of power-hungry ANC Councillors.
If the MEC truly cares for the people, she should put their wellbeing first, and focus on uMkhanyakude.
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Contact
Cllr Thami Ntuli
IFP KZN Provincial Chairperson
072 585 5000