eThekwini mayor warns of collusive corruption amid mounting municipal legal bills

By Levy Masiteng

Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, has issued a letter to the eThekwini Municipality, demanding a comprehensive breakdown of costs associated with the legal dispute involving Daily Double Trading.

In the correspondence, Buthelezi criticized the municipality’s expenditure, particularly concerning litigation, as imprudent.

The legal dispute arose when the municipality terminated its contract with Daily Double Trading, prompting the company to contest the decision.

Subsequently, an out-of-court settlement was agreed upon for R30 million.

However, the municipality later disputed the validity of the settlement, citing improper authorization by the responsible official.

Recently, the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of Daily Double Trading, holding the municipality accountable for R53 million, comprising the original R30 million debt plus an additional R23 million in interest.

Buthelezi’s letter stipulates a seven-day deadline for the municipality to submit a detailed report outlining total contractual losses incurred and the entirety