The DA released the following press release following a council meeting held on Tuesday (February 17). In the press release, the DA hit out at what they called illegal actions by the speaker.

Full press release below:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in uThukela District Municipality is disappointed by the IFP’s decision to ignore calls for the municipal manager (MM), Mr Jili, to be suspended for failing to follow a payment arrangement declared by the High Court, leading to the attachment of municipal bank accounts by RASP Consultants.

Despite bank statements clearly showing an available balance of approximately R12 million in December 2025, the first R3 million installment under the October 2025 High Court settlement was not paid.

R31 million in interest costs

This failure activated the attachment of the bank account, as well as an acceleration clause adding an estimated R31 million in interest costs – a devastating blow to our already strained finances.

During a special council meeting held yesterday (February 17), councillors tabled a motion to suspend the municipal manager pending a full investigation.

The IFP speaker ruled the meeting in-committee, closing it to public scrutiny.

The DA firmly believes that voters’ right to transparency far outweighs the IFP’s apparent preference for secrecy on matters of public money and governance in uThukela.

The MM was required to explain these lapses to the council, including how he discharged his duties as Accounting Officer under the Municipal Finance Management Act. Shockingly, Jili did not answer a single question posed by councillors as he enjoyed the protection of the Speaker and IFP councillors.

IFP walkout illegal

Worse still, the Speaker then permitted the IFP caucus, mid-proceedings, to walk out, deliberately collapsing the quorum. This action is unlawful and contravenes established SALGA guidelines and judicial precedent, which prohibit walkouts designed to frustrate council business and undermine democratic decision-making.

We commend all non-IFP councillors who demonstrated courage and commitment to clarity and accountability. Their stance stands in stark contrast to the IFP’s efforts to shield the MM and sweep this crisis of accountability under the carpet.

Salaries unpaid

February salaries remain unpaid, creditors are waiting, and essential services are at risk – this is a matter of the utmost seriousness for the communities in the greater uThukela District.

As the DA caucus, we will exhaust every avenue to ensure the MM accounts for this lapse.

We will be part of a motion to force a special council meeting under the Standing Rules, with the explicit instruction that the Speaker invite the MEC for Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the MEC for Provincial Treasury to attend and address the council on provincial oversight, potential Section 139 intervention, and financial recovery measures.

We will not relent until transparency and consequence management are restored.

Issued by: Councillor Thys Janse van Rensburg (DA uThukela Chairperson)

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