The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu Natal requests the MEC for COGTA, MEC Nomusa Dube Ncube to provide clarity amid uncertainty over the future of Richmond Municipal Manager, Bongiwe Mnikathi. This comes after the reports that there are some shenanigans taking place behind closed doors in the Richmond Municipality Council where plans are afoot to oust the municipal manager.
“We are calling on the MEC to take an active role in resolving the crisis in Richmond Municipality, as ANC factional politics seem to affect the proper running of the municipality. We demand that MEC Dube-Ncube takes urgent steps to deal with the factionalism and places the interests of Richmond. Some people are trying by all means to destabilise and make the Richmond Municipality ungovernable by not following proper processes and guidelines. They are running this municipality like their spaza shop and this must not be allowed to go unchallenged,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Princess Phumzile Buthelezi MPL.
“We believe that due and fair processes must be followed if and when the municipal manager is to be ousted. Laws are clear that the municipal manager accounts to the mayor and therefore it is astonishing if the municipal manager is to be ousted via the municipal speaker’s office.
“What happened in following proper procedures by giving the municipal manager a fair chance to make her representations against allegations put in her name? The manner at which this issue has been dealt in is extremely worrying given the previous political motivated killings that took place in this municipality. Corrupt politicians should not be allowed to continue destroying this municipality, as we have witnessed a climate of intimidation, assassinations and fear reigning in this area because those who want to steal would do anything to eliminate those who are trying to expose their corrupt ways”, continued Princess Buthelezi.
In addition, we call on the MEC of Cogta to ensure that allegations of corruption levelled against the municipal manager are investigated thoroughly and dealt with properly,” concluded Princess Buthelezi.
Issued by:
Princess Phumzile Buthelezi, MPL
IFP Spokesperson for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
073 216 0918