SANDILE MOTHA
Calls that IFP Zululand district mayor fingered as a key mover in the financial mismanagement and tender fraud to fall on his sword are gaining momentum.
Political parties are united in their efforts to force Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi to relinquish political office.
The National Freedom Party is the latest to fire a salvo at the defiant mayor, saying he must face the music.
“This is not rocket science. Judging by the outcome of the forensic report, it is clear that the mayor contributed immensely in the mismanagement of finances as witnessed by glaring service delivery failures. We urge that he speak to his conscience and resign to allow the municipality to have a fresh start. As a political head the buck stops with him,” said Canaan Mdletshe, party secretary this week.
The call for Buthelezi’s head comes hot on the heels of a forensic report released last week by the provincial department of Cooperative Governance.
The report relates to corruption and fraud allegations levelled at the municipality which impacted on service delivery.
The department together with the provincial treasury were assigned to carry the probe and the findings were subsequently tabled last week Wednesday for the council to apply its mind.
In the forensic report, Buthelezi is allegedly cited as the central figure in the shenanigans playing out in the district municipality.
Buthelezi is also accused of among other things of dictating on who should be awarded lucrative tenders.
He is said to have enlisted the services of a well-known hostile and self-proclaimed radical economic transformation group branding themselves as amaDelangokubona to threaten those he viewed as his foes. Buthelezi however denies the claim on the grounds of character assassination and conspiracy.
The ANC in Mzala Nxumalo region formerly known as abaQulusi said the mayor should have vacated his position a long time ago. “This is long overdue and has been confirmed by the forensic report. For the longest time we had raised serious issues of corruption and maladministration at the municipality, but we were dismissed on grounds of politicking,” said Zakes Buthelezi, regional secretary.
He said the stench of corruption was deep.
“We have continuously raised issues about corruption in the awarding of water tankers and the mayor being on a self-enrichment drive,” he added.
S’busiso Ngcobo, former municipality employee and head of technical services is alleged to have blown the whistle on the underhand dealings.
He subsequently unceremoniously vacated his position fleeing hitmen who were allegedly hired to hunt him down and assassinate him.
The Zululand district municipality which houses other local municipalities such as Ulundi, eDumbe, Nongoma, abaQulusi and uPhongolo municipality was given 21 days in which to file a response on what course of remedial action to undertake to hold the culprits personally liable.
Meanwhile despite these calls, Buthelezi insists he will stay put, saying his hands are clean.
Cogta spokesperson, Nonala Ndlovu refused to be drawn into the findings of the forensic report, instead said the department will only respond after the 21 days had lapsed
Inside Metro understands that Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka had written to Buthelezi asking him to recuse himself while deliberations about the aftermath of the report are being discussed by the municipal council.