Umzumbe municipal manager accused of corruption

The IFP has called for a forensic investigation into corruption allegations made against Umzumbe Municipality over tender processes.

This comes after a week-long disruption of services by the Umzumbe Business Chamber, following last week’s shut-down of the municipality.

The chamber claims that the municipal manager, Nokuthula Mgijima, is corrupt and uses the companies of a person close to her to misappropriate municipal funds.

A number of tenders have reportedly been awarded to this person.

The group not only alleges that the MM inflated prices for these projects so they could benefit the person, but that a hefty R12-million had been spent on hiring consultants for the construction of the municipal offices.

For more than a week, staff have been told they may not enter the municipal premises until these issues are addressed.

The IFP in Umzumbe and Ugu said the situation needed urgent attention and called for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube to intervene as a matter of urgency.

The IFP has also called for the immediate suspension of the municipal manager, pending investigation, to ensure that the situation is contained and the community receives services.

Responding to this, Umzumbe spokesman, Sabelo Ncwane said everyone employed by any institution had rights and could not be suspended without proper processes being followed.

Mr Ncwane said however Umzumbe leaders had already involved the Cogta forensic unit which is currently looking into all allegations leveled against the municipal manager.

IFP Ugu chairman, Sifundo Ngwane also raised concerns about roads being in poor conditions, saying people had not received the houses which had been promised more than 10 years ago, and some had no electricity, running water or other services.

“We are concerned about the mushrooming poor service delivery by government. However we encourage the public to follow regulatory processes in trying to address these.”

The IFP believes that Umzumbe Municipality’s local economic development strategy fails to empower local businesses to benefit from the municipality’s economic activities.

However, Mr Ncwane said Umzumbe had electrified a number of areas within its jurisdiction, including ward 9 Kwamagaza area where many houses had received lights for the first time.

“Umzumbe municipality has empowered many business people through its local development with some having travelled abroad whilst others have been named the best in the province.”

Mr Ngwane added: “One of the IFP’s greatest concerns is that we have not heard Umzumbe mayor, Sizwe Ngcobo, saying anything to reassure the community that he has the situation under control or about the way forward with regard to the issues raised by the local business chamber.”

The IFP said the mayor’s deafening silence was concerning.

According to Mr Ncwane, the mayor has had a number of meetings with the said business forum in an effort to resolve their issues so that disruptions and chaos at the municipality could be put to bed.

“Security has been beefed up to allow workers to continue with their work and service delivery.”

A special council meeting is planned for today (Friday) to try and get the situation back to normal.

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