Note to Editors: Please see attached soundbite by Councillor Privi Makhan
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaDukuza welcomes the long-overdue removal of former Mayor Ali Ngidi, whose time in office was marked by scandal, arrogance, and a blatant disregard for the people he was elected to serve.
Over the last eight months, Mayor Ngidi brought the Office of the Mayor into utter disrepute. Under his watch, service delivery collapsed, and basic municipal functions deteriorated while he embarked on a relentless pursuit to support events and vanities designed to boost his personal image.
From day one, Ngidi made it clear that he had no intention of being a team player. His leadership was driven by a desire to shine alone, even if it meant dragging the municipality into dysfunction. He routinely disrespected Council processes, sidelined those elected to deputize him, and attempted to centralize power through a toxic patronage network.
Most damning were his roles in championing questionable financial decisions, the vehicle hire scandal, and his glaring absence when the people needed bold and ethical leadership the most. His short-lived legacy will be one of handshakes and his attempts to position himself as an Executive Mayor, through his ongoing attempts to take unilateral decisions, to the detriment of Council.
It is deeply unfortunate that other decisions taken, while politically convenient for those currently in power, simply highlight how factional battles in the ANC continue to destabilise local governance.
The people of KwaDukuza deserve leaders that serve the public, not their own egos through luxury brands and bloated security and media details. Good governance can no longer be delivered by the ANC in KwaDukuza, and the DA will continue to expose the political shenanigans of those elected to power and their deployed administration.