Three senior officials at KwaDukuza municipality have been placed on precautionary suspension, according to reliable sources.

The decision was taken during a special in-committee council meeting held in KwaDukuza earlier today (Friday, 13 February).

The suspended officials include KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) municipal manager Nhlanhla Mdakane and two senior officials.

The suspensions follow a Section 106 forensic investigation by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). The report was tabled before council in December last year.

In March 2025, the MEC for Cogta, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, authorised forensic investigations into Msunduzi municipality, KwaDukuza municipality and Nongoma municipality amid allegations of maladministration. Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act compels the MEC to investigate when allegations of maladministration, fraud or corruption arise within a municipality.

The investigations are understood to focus on alleged abuse of municipal assets, political instability and interference in procurement processes. Other areas under review include weaknesses in consequence management, breaches of Supply Chain Management regulations, irregularities in recruitment procedures and broader claims of maladministration, fraud and corruption.

KDM media liaison officer Bridget Shange said the matter was being handled through internal governance processes.

“KwaDukuza municipality is aware of reports that are circulating relating to the alleged suspension of the municipal manager and two senior officials,” she said.

“At this stage, the municipality is engaging through the appropriate governance and administrative processes to verify details surrounding the matter.

“As this is an internal process, it would be premature to comment further or speculate on any aspects of the situation.

“The municipality remains committed to transparency, good governance and ensuring that due process is followed.

“Further communication will be issued once verified information becomes available.”

A precautionary suspension is a temporary measure that removes an employee from the workplace while an investigation is under way. It is not a disciplinary finding and does not imply guilt.

Officials are typically placed on full pay and benefits to protect the integrity of the investigation and prevent possible interference with witnesses or evidence.

Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra) chairperson Deon Viljoen said they welcomed this decision in light of the reported severity of the allegations in the recent COGTA Section 106 investigation report.

“This will allow any ongoing investigations or disciplinary proceedings to unfold without interference or fear of intimidation and protect the interests of all parties. This marks the first step in real accountability at the highest level of administration at KDM.”

“It follows long-term efforts by civil society organisations to bring municipal oversight structures like Cogta to bear on the maladministration and corruption that have been allowed to take root in our municipality.

“We will continue to monitor this process very closely as the community wait for official communication from KDM on the matter,” said Viljoen.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.