City manager exonerated

CALLS by opposition parties for urgent intervention from the Public Protector or Department of Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) were downplayed and ‘jeered’ at during a full uMhlathuze Council sitting in Richards Bay on Tuesday night.

This after an investigation looking into allegations of misconduct against Deputy Municipal Manager: Corporate Services, Mbali Ndlovu, found that there was ‘no proper or legitimate basis to institute disciplinary action’ against her.

The inquest carried out by Mathe, Sosiba and Associates, was instituted following a string of grievances levelled by the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) against Ndlovu in April.

This included improper use of municipal funds without Council authorisation, unbecoming conduct, failure to uphold Council policy and the misleading of Council on legal matters.

‘Based on the evidence objectively viewed, the employee has not committed any misconduct as alleged. There was no credible evidence to support those claims. It is unclear why the representations that the employee made were not placed before Council so that they could be considered before she was placed on suspension,’ said the report.

Commenting on the findings, which was merely ‘noted’ by Council, Cllr Alen Viljoen said in light of the serious allegations made against political heads, unions and officials, the matter should be investigated by COGTA or the Public Protector.

The request was met with jeering from the majority of Councillors, with Cllr Manie Lourens adding that ‘every time the DA opens their mouths, it’s the Public Protector!’

‘It is a problem when we don’t own up to our decisions,’ said Cllr R Zikhali.

‘We as a Council took a decision that there must be an investigation. Now when the report is here, we cry foul. Let us not play political games here.’

Political pressure

In her written response to the earlier allegations, which for unknown reasons were not presented to Council, Ndlovu claimed the allegations were prompted by her refusal to ‘bow down’ to political pressure, especially when it came to the recruitment and discipline of union members.

‘There is certainly a clear indication that Ndlovu is a persona non grata (an unwelcome person) in the eyes of the union,’ the report said.

‘The two parties represent different and opposing interests. So, by virtue of their roles, the parties are on a path to frequently collide.’

‘In respect of the airport contract and the dismissal of the employees, Council is overlooking the role that it played in those cases,’ the report said.

In an exclusive with the Zululand Observer, Ndlovu said she had ‘no hard feelings’ against the municipality.

‘I have served the Council for nine years and I am leaving with an unblemished reputation regardless of attempts to taint it,’ said Ndlovu.

‘The report should not be seen as egg on the face of the municipality, but it is important that they do not to ignore the red flags. I am happy that I have been exonerated, but it is not about who has won. It is whether the municipality will take responsibility and action based on the finding?’

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