The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has instituted forensic investigations into three of the province’s troubled municipalities – Nongoma, KwaDukuza and Msunduzi in the Midlands.
This was announced today, 13 March 2025 by the MEC for the department, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi in Durban.
Buthelezi also announced measures to turn around municipalities in the province after it was revealed in the latest Auditor General’s (AG) report for the 2023-2024 financial year that municipalities across the province raked R6 billion in unauthorized, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
Regarding the forensic investigations into the three municipalities, Buthelezi said this action is mandated by Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, which stipulates that the MEC of the department is obliged to conduct an investigation upon receipt of allegations pertaining to maladministration, fraud, and corruption within a municipality.
“The investigations will specifically address allegations concerning: Abuse of municipal assets;
Elevated levels of political instability; Political interference in procurement processes; Deficiencies in consequence management and Contraventions of Supply Chain Management (SCM) regulations,” Buthelezi said.
The investigations will also probe irregularities in recruitment procedures, instances of maladministration, fraud, and corruption.
“In the pursuit of transparency and accountability, the municipal councils are expected to extend full cooperation to the appointed investigators,” he added.
The Nongoma Local Municipality has been on the news after the council allegedly appointed Nhlakanipho Zulu as municipal manager even after the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruled that he was unfit for the position. That has created a power struggle between him and the acting municipal manager, Mpumelelo Mnguni.
The municipality has been outed for making outrageous payments to service providers for work that has not been rendered.
In Msunduzi there have been allegations of tender fraud and flouting of recruitment policies to favour certain individuals. There have also been allegations of political interference in administrative matters.
In KwaDukuza, there have been allegations of abusing municipal resources and finances to benefit some political office bearers and their families.
The DA in the municipality said it welcomes the investigation.
“Today’s decision by the MEC is a significant step forward and also reflects the persistent efforts of a key civic body that has tirelessly advocated for transparency and good governance in KwaDukuza.
“As the ANC’s governance in KwaDukuza continues to crumble under the weight of its own mismanagement, the DA remains committed to exposing the deep-rooted issues that have compromised service delivery and governance in the municipality.
“We will continue to fight for accountability and ensure that the residents of KwaDukuza receive the transparent and effective leadership they deserve,” the DA said in a statement.
