Alleged abuse of funds by Ulundi Municipality to be investigated

THE KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has confirmed it will be investigating the alleged abuse of funds by the Ulundi Municipality.

This follows complaints by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC) relating to an advertorial in last Monday’s edition of Ilanga Newspaper, paid for with municipal funds, promoting a political rally of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

The department will first conduct a preliminary investigation to ascertain the facts.

‘As the department views such allegations in a serious light. A full-scale investigation will be undertaken if the allegations are verified,’ Cogta said in a statement.

‘We want to assure communities that we will not hesitate to act to investigate and institute civil recovery processes to recover monies incurred though reckless and fruitless expenditure. We will also approach the courts if necessary.’

The DA’s Zululand west head, Thomas Hadebe, said the cost of the advertorial was estimated at R35 000.

The advertorial is a blatant glorification of the IFP and there is no mention as to how the municipality will deliver services to the people.

Instead the article praises the IFP over its recent by-election victory.

The ANC accused the IFP of ’embarking on its old era Bantusan tactics of flagrant abuse of municipal resources’.

It a statement released on Wednesday, the ANC stated it was clear that municipal coffers were being looted to promote the IFP.

‘After a year in office, the IFP can only account for self-congratulatory rallies as opposed to water, electricity, infrastructure and sanitation delivery’.

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