The Endumeni council will, for the first time, face forensic investigation music.
This was confirmed by Mayor Thulani Mahaye following last week’s executive council meeting, during which a team from the KZN Treasury Department made a presentation to council ‘in committee’ (no members of the public or press were allowed).
However, according to sources, the Provincial Treasurer was responding after the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) completed a report into the ongoing paralysis that has inflicted the municipality since the beginning of the year.
That report has been tabled to council. The investigation started on Monday, and council will provide investigators with offices at the municipality.
It was alleged that members of the public or organisations are welcome to submit any information regarding ‘any wrongdoing by council’.
The issue of a councillor who was charged last month for intimidation by Municipal Manager Thabani Biyela is apparently closed, with the case being withdrawn and not being put on the court roll by the prosectuor.
The issue was also debated ‘in committee’. However, it is understood that a sub-committee has been appointed to deal with the issue.
No specifics were available at the time of going to press.
While two ANC councillors and all three DA councillors were not present, the meeting went ahead as it was an executive committee meeting in which the required quorum is two.
During the meeting, Disaster Manager Bonginkosi Zulu was called to make his presentation, in the form of a slide show, on areas vulnerable to flooding.
Councillor Bongiwe Mbatha called on the municipality to be pro-active, as flooding in Peacevale is especially prevalent during the rainy season.
“Mr Zulu has been presenting the risk assessment, and no official seems to listen to him. We can’t afford to pay officials whose duties are to sit in their offices,” said Councillor Mbatha.