ANC councillors join MK in Umzumbe
These councillors are complaining about funds and monies that were budgeted for projects such as houses, roads and electrification that have never been completed but the funds have depleted.

Out of the seven councillors who were recently suspended by the ANC in Umzumbe Local Municipality, five joined the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party on Tuesday last week.
The councillors, Sbonakaliso Hadebe, Bheki Ngema, Thulo Mkhungo, Thuthukane Jeza and Ayanda Duma, handed in their resignation letters on Monday evening.
In a meeting at the Mtwalume community centre, Sbonelo Maphumulo, the former speaker of the municipality, said they could not allow senior officials to carry on with corruption, hence the resignation of these councillors.
“We are trying to protect and secure a bright future for our generation; we can no longer sit and watch Umzumbe Municipality sink due to corruption, money laundering and theft perpetuated by selfish individuals who are in power.”
The councillors are complaining about funds that were budgeted for projects such as houses, roads and electrification that have never been completed, but the funds have been depleted.
According to Hadebe, who was a ward councillor, they have received death threats because they have been very loud and clear about corruption.
“I am glad that I left the ANC; maybe I wouldn’t be alive; we believe that there were plans to kill us.”
Countless road projects were also mentioned by Duma and Mkhungo, who were told that the funds for these projects were depleted.
According to Mkhungo, in his ward, four people were killed on a particular road, and many other accidents have also occurred. The municipality was requested to help fix it, but nothing was done.
The new MK party members believe the dysfunctionality in the municipality is allegedly caused by senior officials led by the mayor Bongani Nyuswa.
Maphumulo said they are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to bring in the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) so that they can conduct a thorough investigation.
“We will support the SIU with all the required evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the management has led to the dysfunctionality of the municipality.”
Maphumulo also mentioned that there has been no municipal manager, director of technical services, director of social services and CFO for almost two years, which makes them question who is responsible for the payment endorsements if all these senior posts are not filled.
“We also recommend lifestyle audits for some senior officials; the community has been deprived of service delivery for a long time.”
According to information, after a ward councillor resigns, a by-election is held, meaning that Umzumbe Municipality should hold five by-elections.
A by-election for Ward 11, which Maphumulo was previously a ward councillor for, has been set to take place on April 24.
The spokesperson for the municipality, Sabelo Ncwane, said nothing formal has been received to confirm the resignations.
“Until their political party writes to the municipal manager informing her about it, we will treat it as rumours.”
The MK convener on the South Coast, Bonginkosi Mngandi, said they welcome their new members.
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