Fresh from the electricity tariff crisis that unsettled businesses, Endumeni Municipality is again under fire after the High Court set aside the controversial appointment of a new municipal manager. The interim order was granted, with the matter returning to court on 18 November.

Advocate Khambule, seconded by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), had acted as municipal manager for two months. Her tenure was abruptly terminated after the appointment of N Mvelase from Msinga, but the ANC and ABC caucuses successfully interdicted the move.

“The court vindicated our concerns, which means Adv Khambule remains acting municipal manager, and Mr Mvelase is interdicted from taking office,” said Cllr Phakathi, who claimed there were procedural irregularities and that the candidate misrepresented his experience.

Cllr Kheswa added that the ANC caucus would table a motion to investigate the mayor for allegedly overstepping his powers and to recover legal costs incurred by the municipality. Both ANC and ABC also criticised the IFP/DA coalition, accusing it of disregarding the rule of law and wasting scarce resources.

Endumeni Residents Association chairperson Willie Steenberg said litigation costs were a major concern. “We already have a municipality under financial strain with out-of-control electricity theft, yet money is wasted on unnecessary legal battles. This will again reflect poorly on the audit, for which Endumeni is notorious for receiving disclaimers,” he said.

There has been no immediate response from the mayor’s office.

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