Rumours have been going around town concerning a motor vehicle accident that involved the mayor’s car on December 27 last year (2021). The rumours are that the mayor was in the car at the time and was celebrating with female companions.

The municipality has responded in a press release to the allegations being made…

On behalf of council, municipal spokesperson Siyabonga Maphalala has confirmed that on December 27, 2021, the mayoral driver was travelling to Babanango to fetch Mayor Zama Sibisi when the accident occurred.

Maphalala says that based on the report obtained, details indicate that, at Nquthu, a light delivery vehicle was overtaking a stationery taxi and side-swiped the municipal vehicle assigned to the mayor. The accident report further indicates that Mayor Sibisi was not in the vehicle at the time.

In response to speculations, the municipal vehicle assigned to the mayor is permitted to travel beyond the municipal jurisdiction of Alfred Duma Local Municipality.

The mayor is currently utilising a hired vehicle, taking into account that it’s common practice, as was the case when the former mayor, speaker or deputy mayor’s official vehicles were involved in accidents or suffered mechanical faults.

“I can confirm that previously, guided by municipal legal prescripts and Municipal Finance Management regulations, a municipal vehicle assigned to the former speaker was involved in an accident outside the boundaries of KZN and was assigned a hired vehicle as a temporary measure for him to continue with the execution of his duties,” said Maphalala. 

Furthermore, both vehicles assigned to the former mayor and former deputy mayor experienced mechanical faults previously outside the boundary of the uThukela District, and both were assigned to use hired vehicles at that stage.

In all these occurrences, council is said to have adhered to procurement procedures.

According to Maphalala, an allegation has been published that the mayor was part of social celebrations and having fun with female friends during the incident. “However, as council, we wish to distance ourselves from that sentiment and cannot comment on that allegation based on the matter of fact and principle.

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“Accidents are reported according to a procedure manual which is standard across the country and the municipality is provided a report as per the Accident Report. We cannot speculate or interrogate accident reports based on feelings or political aspirations.

“In conclusion, the insurance company is conducting its own investigation and once their findings have been concluded, they will advise accordingly. Pending their findings, as council, we cannot comment any further until all investigations have been concluded,” added Maphalala.

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