Endumeni Mayor ‘falls on his own sword’ after mounting pressure from both the opposition and his own party
Mayor Ndlovu was accused of a lack of professionalism in being frequently late for formal meetings and even taking naps at meetings and/or leaving proceedings for long periods of time.
Endumeni Mayor Siyabonga Ndlovu has resigned following weeks of speculation after the DA filed a ‘motion of no confidence’ against him.
Ndlovu, an IFP public representative (PR) councillor, will no longer serve on the Endumeni council, but sources say he will be ‘deployed’ to the Umzinyathi district council.
Ndlovu ‘fell on his own sword’ before the no-confidence motion could be debated. The motion was filed in September, but an ordinary council meeting was not called for.
According to legislation, no-confidence motions can only be debated at ordinary council meetings. The DA motion accused Ndlovu of a myriad of misdemeanours, including ‘incompetence in carrying out his duties, interference in the administration of the municipality, and abuse of power and municipal funds’.
It is also alleged that he overrode the municipal manager in re-assigning staff to his office.
He is also accused of misusing hired vehicles, which cost more than R440,000, by using them for private transport and racking up monthly fuel bills of R30,000 for the mayoral vehicle. “This unnecessary and wasteful expenditure strains our finances and undermines public trust.
“The deliberate misuse of municipal assets (means that) the mayor has failed to provide responsible guidance.”
Ndlovu previously denied the allegations and said his ‘sleepiness’ was caused by medication.
Earlier in the year, Ndlovu narrowly survived a ‘motion of no confidence’ vote filed by the ABC party. Only the support of the IFP’s alliance partner, the DA, kept him in office by seven votes to six.
At the time, the ANC said the DA would ‘regret their support (for) the Mayor’.
However, it was unlikely that he would have escaped the latest no-confidence motion which prompted him to quit.
Ndlovu and opposition parties have been asked for comment, and it will be published in the print edition, out on Thursday.
Meanwhile, sources said the IFP would ‘bring in a fresh young face to take over as mayor’.
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