An amicable solution was reached last week when community leaders held a meeting with Endumeni Councillors, T. Makaba, T. Mkhize (Deputy Mayor) and Thulani Mahaye (Mayor).

The aim of the meeting was for council to report on how they dealt with the report that was released by Cogta after residents of Sibongile embarked on various protest marches a few months back.
Endumeni Mayor Thulani Mahaye told the meeting, council has already dealt with the Cogta report.
The Mayor asked the meeting to adjourn to produce the minutes of the meeting in which the Cogta report was discussed.
According to the minutes, council resolved that the allegations in support of the suspension of Municipal Manager Thabani Biyela be considered null and void after a resolution was taken by council under input from the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC).
Democratic Alliance Councillors had excused themselves from the meeting, and were not in support of the decision.
The majority of the councillors present were in favour of the decision. Council also agreed that the MPAC (the oversight committee) must be reconstituted. They resolved that the section 57 managers’ contracts be terminated, and the issue of the R21-million tender for road construction be re-advertised.
This has since been done.
They resolved to recover money from former Technical Manager of Endumeni, Bart Maltman, which was paid to the Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund by the council. Council resolved that the R300 000 that was used for Youth Day celebrations be put under forensic investigation.
There were number of other issues that were discussed, including an issue regarding one member of the audit committee, who allegedly lives in Ladysmith.
They also discussed the issue of a senior municipal official who fraudulently claimed S&T costs to cover a private trip.
This matter was referred for investigation.
The issue of Council’s Christmas party was questioned as well, as national legislature clearly states that such parties are prohibited. The council is to spend about R25 000 on the end-of-year party to be held in the Moth Hall, complete with entertainment.