NFP refutes Buthelezi accusations

THE National Freedom Party (NFP) and Zululand District Municipality (ZDM) mayor, Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi, have come out firing following accusations by the IFP President, Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, that the NFP was using public funds to pay for its election campaigns.

Speaking at the University of Zululand on invitation of the SADESMO student body this week, Buthelezi, among other things, alleged that ZDM money destined for public water provision was being used to fund NFP election campaign activities.

Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi refuted this.

‘His allegations is a pathetic lie from a desperate person who is fighting for his political survival.

‘A few years ago, Inkosi Buthelezi praised me, saying no mayor had been in power for such a long time without any report of corruption,’ said KaMagwaza-Msibi.

‘I am still that Zanele he was talking about, I have never been corrupt and will never be corrupt.

‘I have been the mayor of ZDM for the past 16 years and it is no coincidence that the ZDM has received unqualified audit reports for the past 14 years.’

She said she will always oppose fraud and corruption and there was no missing taxpayers’ money at ZDM. Her municipality has used all water grants allocated to it for that purpose.

‘We have nothing to hide on how we handle our financial issues.’

She says the IFP itself has failed to stop corruption.

‘Buthelezi’s daughter, a Municipal Manager at the IFP-controlled Ulundi Municipality, has been absent from duty as from last year, but gets paid her full salary at the end of every month, while taxpayers also foot the bill for a person who does her work,’ KaMagwasa-Msibi claimed.

She also accused the municipality of branding its vehicles with IFP colours and using them in election campaigns.