/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media; first of all we, the leadership of the IFP, wish to thank for taking time to respond positively to our invitation to this news conference.

The sole reason we have convened this news conference is to tell South Africa that the rotten smell of corruption in the UMkhanyakude District Municipality has reached the high heavens; and secondly that in-fightings within the ruling ANC have rendered that Municipality totally dysfunctional. Thirdly, we have called this conference to throw down the gauntlet to KwaZulu-Natal COGTA MEC, Hon. Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube to rise above narrow sectional interests and honour her leadership responsibility by using her constitutional powers to intervene in the UMkhanyakude District Municipality to stop the rot before it is too late.

Lest we are accused of exuding hot air, we lay on the table the following facts which stand as irrefutable evidence of what we say:

1. DEFICIT

As we speak today UMkhanyakude Municipality has a deficit of R95m. No government which is serious about service delivery would just keep quiet as if nothing has happened in the face of such a huge deficit.

2. FINDINGS ON BURNT COUNCIL OFFICES

In 2012, Municipal Offices were set alight in what was suspected to be foul play. An investigation was instituted. Up to now, neither the UMkhanyakude Council nor the residents of UMkhanyakude have been given even a summary of the findings.

3. WATER TANKERS

About R7, 9m was used to purchase 7 Water Tankers. Up to now they are nowhere to be found. Nobody has been called to account as the Kelmer investigation has long been concluded.

4. WATER PIPES

Section 32 was applied to purchase water pipes. Up to the present the pipes are lying all over UMkhanyakude and have never been used.

5. KELMER COMMISSION

Three years have elapsed since the Kelmer completed its investigation into R7,9 million used to buy Water trunks and Section 32 to purchase water pipes . The Kelmer Commission had started that investigation in 2012. The findings thereof have never been tabled before the Council.

6. BORE-HOLES

Again Section 32 was used to contract 4 companies to drill bore-holes. Not even one is functional. Yet the Council has been told that they are functioning effectively. That companies only drilled the holes with no equipping.

7. OVERPAYMENT

Magedla was overpaid to the tune of R1million when it should have been paid R125 000.

8. TREASURY INVESTIGATION

About a year ago, the Provincial Treasury conducted an investigation into the allegations of financial mismanagement. No report has been tabled before the Council.

9. MISUSE OF COUNCIL PROPERTY

The new Council vehicle was overturned at night by the official without the permission to use it. The Disaster Management vehicle was seen pirating at Ngwelezane Township. The use of the Council vehicle at Mkhuze which knocked down the public member , had no permission to be outside the premises. The use of the NUB 27 which was agreed to be traded –in but currently used by the Wife of the Mayor

COUNCIL DYSFUNCTIONALITY

These charges relate to corruption and mismanagement. But that is not all. The Council has become dysfunctional and if nothing is done urgently, it will collapse totally. The following facts vindicate us:

On 04 February 2015 the UMkhanyakude Council did not sit because all ANC Councillors just stayed in their offices and did not bother to come to the Chamber. There was no quorum and the Speaker was forced to adjourn the Council.
On 25 February the Council meeting did not quorate because ANC Concillors simply did not turn up.
On 17 March, the Council meeting sat. But it only dealt with Compliance matters, and deferred all other items to 27 March.
On 27 March the Council meeting did not quorate since the ANC Councillors did not turn up
On 10 April, the Council meeting did sit. However there were protracted discussions which finally led to the adjournment to 29 May.
On 29 May the meeting sat. But it only dealt with Compliance matters and all other items were deferred to 02 June
On 02 June ANC ran away. Consequently the Council did not sit
On 18 June the Council sat. However it only dealt with the Budget. All other items were deferred to 24 June
On 24 June the ANC Councillors again runaway which led to the adjournment of the meeting.
These are but a few examples which prove beyond any shadow of doubt that UMkhanyakude Municipality has become completely dysfunctional

CONCERN OVER MEC’S SILENCE

What concerns the IFP is that MEC Dube-Ncube is just folding her arms and doing nothing when the situation is so bad in UMkhanyakude. In fact the Mtubatuba Municipality that the MEC disbanded early in the year, was far better than what UMkhanyakude is; yet she is not moved. Is it she paralysed by internal wrangles within the ANC; or is it she part of the well-known camps within the ANC?

CALL ON MEC

We take the opportunity to call on her to urgently show her unbiased leadership by taking decisive action in UMkhanyakude. If the MEC and the entire ANC leadership lack a political will to act on UMkhanyakude, the IFP will sue all democratic means to apply pressure on them to act. The very first step is that we are sending a letter to the MEC calling on her to act. We have also charged our Members of both the Provincial Legislature and National Assembly to take the matter up. Thirdly, we will petition the Public Protector to step in. Should all these measures fail, we shall resort to peaceful actions to ensure that they listen.

We cannot fold our arms when the people of UMkhanyakude fall victims of ANC’s political impotence

Issued by IFP