‘I am not renting Hlengani’s house’ – IFP’s Mbatha responds

Sir
The situation in Endumeni is indeed an “extravaganza” and is leading towards the instability and dysfunctioning of Endumeni municipality following too many in-fights among management interfering in Council issues and the ANC youth and their friends within our Council showing too much interest in tenders.
This refers to numerous complaints lodged by various companies which got tenders from Endumeni Municipality where the ANC youth demand to sub-contract to all tenders handed out.
I want to respond to what was published in last week’s Courier regarding the bribery allegations.
First and foremost, I am a legitimate member of the IFP, card no.: 606625, and both myself and Councillor Bongiwe Mbatha are deployed by the IFP to Endumeni Council.
We work aligned with the IFP policies and we are also guided by the local government regulations and the Constitution of South Africa.so there is nowhere you will find us talking our “Common Sense” in the House of Law (The Council Chamber).
Martin Hlengani is a member of the ANC, according to my understanding, and he is not a member of the IFP until he signs an IFP form.
He was employed in the position of Executive Manager Corporate Services by his party, including all employees which were employed after Mr Hlengani’s appointment, which then was the mandate of the ANC, not the IFP.
I also want to indicate that if the ANC has different common views and fighting amongst each other, please they must not involve IFP Councillors in their fights because we are not the majority, the ANC is.
The instability that is happening in this Municipality is because of the ANC.
Many people are employed without qualifications. Others are complaining for not being short-listed but they don’t even have a diploma for the position of Transport Officer. The municipality has become the kitchen of the ANC.
The Courier has been wrongfully informed that I am renting a house from Mr Hlengani and that there was an envelope exchange between him and myself. I urgently demand proof of that particular lease and that ‘envelope’. To meet and greet Mr Hlengani is not a problem. When I met with him, I questioned him about the issue of postponing the Municipal Finance Management Programme. After about two minutes, I left him with a municipal official who drives a green Isuzu double cab vehicle.
Anyway, whatever people intend to say let them say it but I demand valid proof that an envelope was given to me by Mr Hlengani and I demand to know who that particular ANC youth is pending further steps to be taken on the matter. I have been informed that this ANC youth is colluding with those who want to take me out of the office due to the fact that the forthcoming local government elections might turn things in our favour increasing IFP membership which we have done involving white and Indian youth all over the Endumeni area.
Just for public interest, nevertheless, it is my right to speak with Mr Hlengani at some time as I am his employer and I don’t have to ask permission from anyone.
All fabrications made against me are because of conflict of interest shown by certain individuals with the Municipality.
We have been suspected of protecting the Executive Manager, Corporate Services, which is a total lie.
We have been calling the Acting Municipal Manager to order for misleading the Council in leading us to take wrong decisions instead of advising us.
Councillor R M Mbatha
Inkatha Freedom Party