The news that the failed ANC-led Msunduzi Municipality’s Mayor, Themba Njilo, his deputy, Thobani Zuma, and the speaker, Jabu Ngcobo, are to be axed comes a year too late.
The ANC has collapsed this Municipality due to its cadre deployment of members into positions without the proper qualifications, awarding of lucrative tenders to cadres, the ongoing factional battles that have also resulted in the deaths of opposing faction members and a lack of respect for rate-paying residents.
The ANC has failed to ensure that a proper billing service is in place for residents to pay their monthly utilities accounts, provide a legitimate and fair valuation role for rate based paying residents, deliver an unhindered and uninterrupted supply of both electricity and water due to poor infrastructure and a lack of maintenance planning, and incompetent workmanship. The ANC has allowed for its corrupt cadres to raid the city’s coffers, due to its internal factional battles.
The DA has called for Msunduzi to be dissolved in terms of Section 139 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Country, but the former MEC of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, chose to protect her corrupt comrades and only place the Council under Administration, allowing for those who have failed the City to still receive their salaries.
Firing the Mayor, his deputy and the speaker is just the beginning. The newly appointed MEC of COGTA, Sipho Hlomuka, must, unlike his predecessor, place the interests of the Msunduzi residents ahead of corrupt cadres and dissolve the municipality with immediate effect. Reshuffling the deck chairs, or changing the captain of the ship, will not return Msunduzi to its former glory days. What is needed to save our city, is bold and decisive action that will see to it that all those implicated in maladministration and financial mismanagement are charged criminally.
The DA will continue to fight for better and improved service delivery for the residents of Msunduzi and will not stop until the ANC cadres responsible for collapsing this council are behind bars.