Durban — Despite the IFP considering suspending Abaqulusi Local Municipality speaker Michael Khumalo following his controversial utterances that he would employ a deceased councillor’s child and fire an ANC-aligned employee, Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala has called for action by the municipality to be taken against Khumalo.
On Thursday afternoon, Zikalala said the department continued to call for action by the municipality against Khumalo after an incident where he told mourners at a funeral how the municipality would flagrantly disregard the rule of law.
Zikalala said that, although the department noted the IFP was contemplating taking steps against him, “the utterances made by Khumalo demonstrated the violation of the rights of workers in the municipality and possibly exposed the municipality as a hub for illegal recruitment”.
“As a department, we will not shy away from holding councillors accountable for their conduct,” Zikalala said.
“We believe that as public representatives they have to lead by example and not use unlawful means, as well as inappropriate platforms like funerals, to further their political agenda.
“The department still expects answers from the municipality on the actions it will take to investigate the conduct of this councillor,” Zikalala said.
He said the incident also shed light on what could be a culture of impunity in the municipality, where councillors and office-bearers have a direct hand in recruitment, which begged the question of how deep this rot had run.
“These are some of the issues that the department will be calling for answers to from the municipality, failing which it will explore other avenues in its quest to restore public confidence in this institution,” Zikalala said.
On Wednesday night, the IFP said it had instituted a process that might result in the precautionary suspension of Khumalo, pending the finalisation of an internal enquiry.
“As the leadership of the IFP, we share the concerns that have been raised, and we view these allegations in a very serious light,” said IFP provincial chairperson Thami Ntuli.
He said the party would report back to the public once the internal enquiry had been completed, and would not hesitate to take decisive action if this was deemed necessary.
“The IFP will continue to work tirelessly to rebuild municipalities that have been run into the ground through mismanagement and unethical leadership. In order to honour this pledge, we will leave no stone unturned to root out corruption and nepotism wherever it may manifest (itself).”
Khumalo also apologised for his conduct. He said he had been engulfed by grief and had spoken in the heat of the moment. He added that he was acutely aware that the recruitment of staff was an administrative function which did not involve councillors.
“I had jokingly shared that statement with the municipal manager, who laughed, knowing that I am a seasoned politician who understands the recruitment process. I unreservedly apologise for any confusion caused, and I would like to reaffirm the rights and protections of workers at Abaqulusi Municipality,” he said.
The apology and interventions by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala prompted ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo to withdraw from opening a case against the speaker.
Late on Wednesday, Mtolo announced he would go to Vryheid and lay charges of corruption against the speaker. Also on Wednesday, the MEC weighed in on the matter, calling for the speaker’s utterances to be probed.
Daily News