Shocking new evidence has been revealed about dismissed Umzinyathi District Municipality senior official, Bhunu Buthelezi. Mr Buthelezi was employed as the Corporate Services Manager when he was found guilty of misconduct.
It was alleged that Mr Buthelezi was charged and suspended for allegations of failing to declare his use of a BMW 5-series vehicle that was provided to the municipality by Blackwatch Security. According to information received, this security company was employed by the council to guard Mayor Reverend James Mthethwa from December 2011 to December 2012, after there was an urgent application by the mayor. The car was going to be utilised as a back-up vehicle.
According to the owner of Blackwatch Security, Andrew Ndlovu, the vehicle was offered to be used as a back-up vehicle but was rejected by the municipality.
He said he was still the owner of the car, and he requested that Mr Buthelezi keep the car. When Mr Buthelezi asked about this, he said, “The municipality does not have any agreement with Blackwatch regarding the supply of a back-up vehicle. The municipality opted to use its own vehicle. Blackwatch’s offer was turned down by the council, because it was going to cost the council an extra R30 000 per month. This agreement never happened because the council rejected this offer.”
Mr Buthelezi said Finance Manager Bongani Mdletshe clarified this in his statement during the disciplinary hearing, which Mr Buthelezi was not present at, that council did not agree to pay R30 000 to Blackwatch. Mr Buthelezi told the Courier that there was a back-up Golf 6 used by the mayor.
Communications Manager Jeff Hassan’s statement to The Witness rejected what was said by Mr Buthelezi. He claimed that the matter of the car was part of the tender, and it was meant to be used by the mayor – however Mr Buthelezi did not declare it.
The Courier contacted Mr Hassan for comment but he was unavailable.