The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal deplores the attempts by the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nomsa Dube-Ncube to secure ANC hegemony in certain municipalities.
“MEC Dube-Ncube is continuing to abuse her authority to push the ANC agenda at the expense of legislated democratic processes. In her haste to usurp control of the Nquthu Local Municipality and thereafter the Umzinyathi District Municipality, Dube-Ncube pre-empted a court ruling and jumped the gun by issuing a letter to the Municipal Manager at Umzinyathi District Municipality stating that COGTA will be taking control of the municipality in terms of Section 139 (1) (b) of the Constitution of South Africa. This means that her Department will take over all fiscal and financial management functions and will also have the authority over the appointment or removal of acting managers in addition to assuming all statutory functions of the mayor. Even though the court ruled that the Nquthu Municipality should be constituted without any further delay”, said IFP National Chairman, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.
“There are rumours that the councillor who took the matter to court and lost his case was being supported by some people who are opposed to the IFP taking over both municipalities. Once again we find that the ruling of a court of law is being sacrificed at the altar of political expediency. Such undue political interference can only be attributed to greed for undeserved power. It is typical of the ANC to use its political appointees to run roughshod over legislation that is place to ensure the smooth operation of government. The MEC is abusing her authority through undue interference. As a result of her actions she is depriving people of those municipalities of services and she is hindering forward planning and execution of projects. We cannot allow such highhanded political interference to deprive people of municipal services. The MEC is advised to abide by the ruling of the court and ensure that the Nquthu Municipality is duly constituted,” concluded Mr Gwala.
Issued By:
Mr Blessed Gwala
IFP National Chairperson
078 290 5842
For Media Queries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase
IFP KZN Media Officer
073 024 5675