Cogta MEC lambasts municipal management
Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi said that there is clearly a crisis in RNM, but it seems as if it's not raising a sense of urgency with the management.
The MEC for Cogta, Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, said that Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) must not use his department as a shield for its wrong decisions.
Buthelezi said this at a stakeholders’ meeting held at RNM’s council chambers two weeks ago.
He said that Cogta is not involved and that people should not be misled into thinking that it’s advising the municipality.
“The municipality is to be blamed; if they had opposed the Bargaining Council’s decision earlier, we wouldn’t be here. For the municipality to react after creating a crisis is disappointing.”
Buthelezi said that there is clearly a crisis in RNM, but it seems as if it’s not raising a sense of urgency with the management.
The MEC requested that RNM management sort out the issue urgently and gave them two weeks to find a solution, as he is returning on January 31.
Buthelezi said he visited due to the numerous letters received from the community complaining about the state of RNM.
He said that the mayor, Zodwa Mzindle, had also been to his office to report about the situation at RNM, but he was upset that she did not attend the meeting.
Buthelezi said that her absence spoke volumes.
It is believed that Mzindle was in Cape Town to celebrate the ANC’s 113th birthday.
Furthermore, Buthelezi expressed that Mzindle was disrespectful for not attending the meeting because she was made aware of it and should have noted its importance.
“This is not a council meeting; it is my meeting. I have convened this meeting, and I was expecting her to be here.”
Also, Buthelezi said he had written a letter to the speaker, Phumlani Gumbi, on November 9, 2024, and he received a response on November 11, 2024, saying that ‘things were under control’ and there was no need for the MEC’s intervention.
The MEC read out Gumbi’s response to the shock of those present.
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