Emfuleni is bleeding while municipality wastes millions: Mayibuye
“It is a symptom of a municipality in deep crisis."
SEDIBENG. – The Afrika Mayibuye Movement has added its voice to allegations that the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has allegedly spent over R7m on legal fees while suspended employees have reportedly cost taxpayers close to R24m.
Sedibeng Ster recently carried a report (story), with DA mayor-elect Kingsol Chabalala ‘blasting’ the municipality over what he said was unnecessary expenditure.
Is this a classic case of cadre employment.
“This money could have rather been used on service delivery. Why is the Emfuleni Local Municipality dragging out these suspensions? Is this a classic case of cadre employment, in which corruption is protecting a politically connected few, or is it simply mismanagement at its finest?” said Chabalala.
Adding his voice, Mayibuye’s National Organiser, Patrick Sindane, said that the ELM is a municipality that has lost sight of its constitutional duty to serve the people.
“For years, the people of Emfuleni have endured collapsing roads, overflowing sewage, unreliable water supply, electricity failures, illegal dumping, high unemployment, and failing municipal services. Yet instead of directing every available rand towards rebuilding our communities, millions are allegedly being consumed by prolonged disciplinary processes and costly legal battles.”
“It is a symptom of a municipality in deep crisis.
Sindani added that this is not just financial mismanagement;
“It is a symptom of a municipality in deep crisis. The continued deterioration of Emfuleni reflects years of weak governance, poor accountability, and a failure to put residents first.”
Sindane demanded answers about why these matters take years to finish, and how public funds will be recovered, stating that the era of waste and incompetence must end.
Disciplinary measures are followed by employee rights.
In response, ELM spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni, told Sedibeng Ster that disciplinary measures are followed by employee rights to take matters outside the office, requiring the municipality to defend itself.
“The decisions taken here have nothing to do with any political party (parties) but are administrative. We advise the DA to not use manipulated information to campaign in the name of ELM. Accordingly, some of the matters are subjudicare and cannot be discussed publicly.”
