The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the uThukela District held a peaceful picket outside the uThukela District Municipality offices in Forbes Street on Thursday (July 30), demanding answers from the municipality, the mayor and the speaker regarding money allegedly spent irregularly on mayoral bodyguards.

Forensic report and unpaid funds under the spotlight

During the demonstration, DA uThukela District chairperson Cllr Thys Janse van Rensburg read out a memorandum outlining the party’s concerns.

Van Rensburg said a forensic report into the bodyguard tender was tabled before the uThukela Municipal Council in 2023. According to him, the report implicated the executive mayor and speaker in relation to the expenditure. He added that although 12 municipal officials were dismissed following the investigation, they were later reinstated.

Party calls on municipality to answer key questions

“All we want to know is: when will the money be paid back? As the DA, we filed a motion asking three simple questions. Has the mayor paid back the money? Has the speaker paid back the money? Have any of the officials paid back the money? Instead of answering these questions, the IFP tried to prevent us from tabling the motion,” said Van Rensburg.

DA member Maliyakhe Shelembe said the forensic investigation found that the expenditure on the bodyguards was irregular. He argued that, in terms of the law, any money spent unlawfully should be recovered.

The DA said it is calling for accountability and transparency, and has urged the municipality to respond to the issues raised in the memorandum.

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