THE reoccurring cycle of legal cases against senior managers at the City of uMhlathuze has re-emerged with the Manager in the Office of the Mayor now facing disciplinary action over a parking ‘squabble’.
Xolani Zuma has been charged with three counts of alleged gross insolence towards Councillor R Zikhali after an altercation over double parking in the municipal basement on 25 June.
The City has since instituted disciplinary action against Zuma, with a hearing set for 7 November.
This follows a complaint from Cllr R Zikhali relating to Zuma’s conduct when he was requested to move his Audi TT from the demarcated mayoral parking area.
Zuma was reportedly asked to park correctly as the vehicle was double parked, which resulted in a fiery exchange of words between the Councillor and official.
According to Cllr Zikhali, he was portrayed in a ‘negative disposition’ when Zuma responded in derogatory terms, describing the Councillor as ‘childish’ in front of other officials.
However, Zuma said he had to lock himself inside his vehicle because Zikhali had reportedly threatened to kill him and further said he was in the process of advocating his dismissal.
Responding to the charges, the official said the matter had ‘nothing to do with his work or conduct, but everything to do between the respective Councillor and the Mayor.
‘I am being used as a scapegoat and I take exception to it,’ said Zuma.
‘When this municipality should be discussing service delivery and improving the lives of people, we are embroiled in a legal battle over parking.
‘However, I am going to subject myself to the disciplinary action because I respect the legislation. I will make it clear that I did not do anything wrong. I am of the view that the matter can be addressed amicably between the employer and the employee,’ Zuma said.
When questioned about Zuma reportedly being a target in a list of people to be removed by an ANC faction, Chairperson of the ANC Musa Dladla region, Thulani Mashaba, vehemently dismissed the allegation.
‘One must separate officials and political deployments. Xolani Zuma is an employee and not a politician. We do not concern ourselves with internal municipal matters relating to officials,’ Mashaba told the Zululand Observer.
