The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s CoGTA Portfolio Committee Section 132 hearing with uThukela District Municipality was adjourned today (August 12) after the municipality’s ‘appropriate’ leadership could not attend the proceedings.

The committee was informed that uThukela Mayor Inkosi NB Shabalala would not be attending due to medical issues, which the committee accepted.

The committee was then waiting for Deputy Mayor MC Mkhize to arrive so that the meeting could proceed. However, the committee was informed that the deputy mayor was in Durban and could not even join the meeting via ‘virtual platform’ as he was busy with other commitments. The committee expressed its dissatisfaction with his absence, describing it as disrespectful to the oversight body.

Hearing focuses on municipality’s performance

According to the committee, the Auditor-General has reported that the municipality’s audit opinion has remained qualified for seven years, with little improvement in internal controls.

In 2024/25, uThukela recorded water losses of 65% and an average creditor-payment period of 541 days. CoGTA further reported that, as of June 30 this year, the municipality’s collection rate stood at just 37%, with approximately R842 million in creditors outstanding for more than 30 days.

Committee to scrutinise governance and financial management

The committee is expected to engage the municipality on issues raised concerning its audit outcomes, and assess the measures being taken to address weaknesses in financial management and governance.

Further steps should uThukela fail to appear again

The committee says it will reconvene the hearing, and expects the relevant political leadership to appear and account for themselves.

Should there be any further unjustified failure to appear, the committee will consider using the formal powers available to the Legislature to compel attendance.

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