Speaker accused of bylaw violations
During the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality strike, several Gamalakhe residents took to social media to praise Gumbi for allegedly making a plan to collect the waste piling up in Gamalakhe.
Phumlani Gumbi, the speaker of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), has been accused of contravening municipal bylaws during the recent labour strike.
On marching to the RNM council chambers last Friday, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) said Gumbi was found to have allegedly violated municipal bylaws by burning uncollected waste in public spaces in Gamalakhe.
The MKP’s Ayanda Zama said this allegedly happened after refuse piled up in different parts of the township.
“Such actions undermine public trust in the municipality,” she said.
Speaking to the Herald about the allegations and his role in collecting waste in Gamalakhe during the strike, Gumbi said: “I am not going down to their level to entertain baseless stupidity.”
However, during the strike, several Gamalakhe residents took to social media to praise Gumbi for allegedly making a plan to collect the waste piling up in the area.
The MKP said Gumbi was further alleged to be illegally selling municipal sites, saying that the allegations were brought to the attention of RNM’s executives.
Responding to the accusations, Gumbi said he does not have time for people who are trying to drag his name down.
“I don’t have time for people who don’t have anything to do in their lives but are always plotting to tarnish the names of progressive people. My focus is on the betterment of Ray Nkonyeni people, including that idiot who is trying to pull me to the level where he is” said Gumbi.
RNM’s acting spokesperson, Nomusa Zulu, said the municipality was unaware of the allegations.
“The bylaws make provision for sanctions which may be imposed on proven violation of any bylaw,” she said.
Zulu said they were also unaware that Gumbi was allegedly selling sites illegally.
“We encourage any person who believes they may have been a victim of a crime to approach law enforcement agencies with information,” said Zulu.
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