Endumeni is again under scrutiny, with the Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) tabling a report fingering officials in allegations of irregularities that also include fraud, corruption and maladministration in procurement processes.
The report was given to councillors at a recent special council meeting, which went into committee – meaning that the media, members of the public, and officials (including Municipal Manager Stembiso Ntombela) had to leave the chamber.

The probe was launched after a whistle-blower gave information to previous CoGTA MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi in January last year.
An investigation was launched in terms of Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act and last week, current MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi sent officials to Endumeni to read the riot act.
The report recommends that disciplinary proceedings be instituted against certain senior officials, and it also recommends that criminal charges be laid with the police.

It is unclear as to what the consequences of the report will be, but at the time of going to press, it was said that the council, through the speaker, had 21 days in which to respond.
Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act stipulates that the MEC is obliged to conduct an investigation upon receipt of allegations about maladministration, fraud and corruption within a municipality.

ANC reacts
Reacting to the report, regional ANC spokesperson Lucky Khumalo said the IFP/DA-led council first became aware of these allegations on October 31, 2022, when it was informed by one of its senior managers.
It is understood that the allegations refer to the hiring of a security provider by the previous mayor Siyabonga Ndlovu, who has since been deployed to Umzinyathi District Municipality.
“The council became aware of the allegations a second time on January 23 last year, when the MEC indicated that she would be investigating the same allegations; and, in November last year, when the ANC tabled a motion before the council, requesting that the council deliberates on the allegations in question.

“The motion was shot down by the IFP and the DA in a clear effort to shield the officials concerned.
“These allegations are only the tip of the iceberg, as procurement irregularities are the order of the day at this municipality, and so too is the irregular appointment of staff in favour of friends, family members and political allies. It is no wonder that service delivery has effectively collapsed at the municipality, as unsuitable and unqualified staff – unfit for the purpose – are appointed and unsuitable and unqualified service providers are appointed, most likely in exchange for kickbacks.”

Khumalo said it will direct ANC councillors to ‘leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the implicated officials are held accountable and not shielded’.

“The behaviour of the speaker, as well as the IFP and DA councillors, also warrants scrutiny for their part in refusing to discuss the allegations and take necessary steps against the implicated officials.
“Had the council acted when it first became aware of these allegations when the MEC initiated the investigation, we would most probably have been spared the embarrassment of being the only municipality in the province to have received a disclaimed audit opinion, with service delivery having completely collapsed.
“The MEC needs to seriously consider instituting a further investigation into the prevalent procurement irregularities within the municipality, as well as the irregular appointments of staff.
“The investigation would have to include the role of councillors leading to this state of affairs, and they should be held accountable for their roles in enabling fraud, corruption and maladministration within the municipality.
“We will closely monitor the implementation of the report’s recommendations and ensure that implicated officials face disciplinary proceedings; monies paid in irregular or unauthorised expenditure be recovered; and periodical progress reports be submitted to the MEC.”
ERA reacts
Endumeni Residents Association acting chairperson Willie Steenberg, who was one of those asked to leave the meeting on Friday, expressed frustration that the CoGTA report had not been made public at the meeting.
“It is all our residents’ money that is under scrutiny, so we need transparency. We have long known that Endumeni is full of corruption, as can be seen by the total lack of service delivery and the disclaimer audit report. So that’s not a secret. Those implicated in stealing and defrauding our residents’ money must be kicked out and charged. It again goes to show that politically-aligned councils do not work for the people. Independent councillors who are only beholden to voters are the ones who can put service delivery at the forefront, instead of politics and theft.”
Exco Councillor Saleem Abdool said the DA would respond once the party’s caucus had met.

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