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.

Sexual misconduct, nepotism and corruption defined the IFP controlled Abaqulusi Local Municipality for a very long time until the removal of  former mayor Cllr Mncedisi Maphisa.

We welcome the decision of the MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Bongi Sithole-Moloi to uphold the recommendations of Abaqulusi Local Municipality special ethics committee to remove Mncedisi Maphisa from the executive council committee.

Following the endorsement by the MEC, the speaker and the municipal manager are now obliged to implement the recommendations without delay.

We are aware that, there are attempts by the IFP to convene an illegal council meeting with an aim of rescinding  the recommendations of the Ethics Committee. 

The IFP is not only trying to protect their Sex Predator but effectively sending a message that there are many sex predators within the party.

These IFP sex predators are lurking in the shadows of municipal offices with their roving eyes and pointing their middle fingers at female municipal workers.

It should be remembered that on the 22 February 2023, the mainstream media and all social media platforms carried an audio clip of Cllr Maphisa.  In this audio clip, which was handed over to the ANC provincial leaders by councillors, including those from the IFP in the municipality, he verbally abused a female municipal worker.

He pointed out “I am he only bull in the kraal. And therefore the only man with authority to sleep with female municipal workers”.

 He recklessly instructed senior municipal workers to disregard legal recruitment processes.

He told them in no uncertain terms that: “from no onwards, no recruitment process must take place without any form of consultation with me. I am the only one with authority to hire and fire municipal workers.”

The ANC in the region is vindicated that the MEC has also upheld the recommended sanctions against former Deputy Mayor Cllr Mandla Mazibuko and two other IFP councillors.

In the letter the MEC  states in the letter: “The recommendation by Council to suspend Councillor M. A. Mazibuko from occupying Executive Committee (EXCO) and any office bearer position within Abaqulusi Local Municipality for a period of 24 months, is upheld.

We welcome the fact that COGTA will monitor the implementation of sanctions against councillors who have been found guilty of misconduct and for violating  the code of ethics within Abaqulusi local municipality.

Issued by the African National Congress in Mzala Nxumalo Region