Durban — Several Nongoma Municipality bigwigs and their co-accused appeared in the Nongoma Magistrate’s Court on Monday on more than 50 counts of corruption.
KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Nongoma Municipality Mayor Clifford Mshangane Ndabandaba, his deputy Sabelo Goodman Nkosi and the speaker Babongile Sithole appeared in the Nongoma Magistrate’s Court on Monday along with chief financial officer Njabulo Dludla and the supply chain manager, Khulekani Manqele.
A private businessman, Vukani Gumede also appeared with them.
“They appeared on 57 counts of corruption amounting to approximately R800 000 relating to an alleged fraudulent tender for services to the municipality,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
“The case was remanded to November 29, for a formal bail application.”
KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi welcomed the arrests and said they sent a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated and demonstrated the government’s commitment to rooting out corruption and restoring accountability within municipalities.
Buthelezi was speaking during a meeting held at the council chamber of the Nongoma Local Municipality, where he met with all councillors and introduced Mpumelelo Bongani Mnguni as the new acting municipal manager.
The appointment follows a recent High Court judgment that set aside the previous appointments of the acting municipal manager and acting chief financial officer. The court judgment highlighted the significant financial strain on the municipality due to frivolous legal battles.
To address this issue and ensure effective service delivery, Buthelezi appointed Mnguni, a seasoned local government professional, to lead the municipality. However, the municipality faces significant financial challenges, with employee costs exceeding 50% of the budget, an overdraft, and exhausted project grants. Mnguni is also tasked with stabilising the financial situation and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.
In a statement posted on the Nongoma Local Municipality Facebook page on Saturday afternoon, acting municipal manager Prince NSF Zulu said the municipality is aware that the SA Police Service took in Mayor Ndabandaba, deputy mayor Nkosi and speaker Sithole for questioning on Friday, November 22.
“We have no further information regarding that incident at this time, we will provide updates to the community as more information becomes available. We appreciate the public concern and request you to be patient,” Zulu said.
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