The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Zululand has written to the Office of the Acting Municipal Manager, SP Mosia , copied to Mayor Michael Khumalo and the Speaker DT Memela, demanding full disclosure and supporting documentation regarding the alleged unlawful payment of a car allowance to a district employee.
The DA has demanded answers on the following:
- The said employee’s original appointment letter,
- Full approved remuneration package,
- The identity of the official who authorised the car allowance,
- HoD Ntombela’s declaration of interest,
- Attendance and leave records,
- Disciplinary charge sheet and outcome,
- Confirmation of whether irregular payments have been halted and recovery initiated.
According to the municipal remuneration framework and collective agreement that governs employment in local government, a general worker does not qualify for a car allowance.
For the said employee to have received this benefit, someone in administration had to approve, sign and process it through payroll. That chain of authorisation exists on paper, and the DA wants to see it.
Reports further indicate that the Head of Department, Ntombela was personally involved in both the appointment and granting of this irregular benefit.
If that is confirmed, this administration has a serious problem on its hands. Not a paperwork problem. A financial misconduct problem. One that carries consequences under the Municipal Finance Management Act and that demands immediate investigation.
The said employee was allegedly engaged in IFP internal branch political activity, on public time, funded by public money. A call recording linked to this period triggered a formal disciplinary process that has since resulted in her suspension.
This is what cadre deployment looks like in practice at the cost of people who need their roads fixed and water connected.
This is exactly why it matters where you vote. Where the DA governs, public money follows policy, not party membership.
The people of Zululand deserve a transparent government.