By Mulalo Luvhimbi
Mandeni Local Municipality Councillor Caroline Mthembu has been axed by KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi for allegedly breaching the Code of Conduct for councillors.
The department said in a statement on Thursday that Buthelezi conducted an investigation into Mthembu and found that she had allegedly committed multiple serious breaches.
She was given a chance to answer to the accusations in a report, but chose not to do so.
ALSO READ: Baloyi outlines plan to fix Joburg’s service delivery crisis
“Serious misconduct by elected representatives undermines the integrity of local government, damages public confidence in municipal institutions and compromises the ethical standards expected of those entrusted with public office,” the MEC said.
He removed her in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act.
“Public representatives are entrusted with serving communities honestly, ethically and in the best interests of the people. They are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct and accountability.
“Where serious misconduct has been established through the appropriate processes, action must be taken in accordance with the law to protect the integrity of local government and maintain public confidence in municipal governance,” Buthelezi said.
Further details were not immediately available.
