Labour union Matusa has asked the eThekwini executive to appoint an independent investigator to look into allegations of irregular appointments and major corruption including alleged gutting of the city’s integrity unit.
Municipal and Allied Trade Union of South Africa deputy president Joe Mabaso, in a letter written to eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba, decried ill governance of the city that he said has led to low staff morale and is affecting service delivery.
At the crosshairs of Matusa is eThekwini city manager Musa Mbhele for the appointment of acting head of Cleansing Solid Waste (CSW), formerly Durban Solid Waste head, Noluthando Magewu, two years ago.
Mabaso claims the appointment was done against “the recommendation and advice of the [interview] panel in contravention of the municipal regulations because she was unqualified for the post, and due to preferential treatment because she scored second during an interview for the position”.
The union also accuses Magewu of misbehaving, ill-treating staff, causing divisions and calling staff derogatory names during her acting tenure and evading accountability as a result of protection from those higher up.
“eThekwini municipality is engulfed with maladministration that is orchestrated or done by the highest administrative executive office in the municipality. Our members are fed up with the way our city is being governed.
“We write this letter so that you can urgently act on all these matters. We know that both Magewu and the city manager are protected, but we want to see for how long. We call upon the executive to investigate these matters and appoint an independent [investigator],” Mabaso’s letter read.
Mabaso also wants the appointment of Jimmy Ngcobo, head of the City Integrity and investigations Unit (CIIU), investigated. The union leader said Ngcobo was also hired against recommendations of the interview panel by Mbhele — a decision that has compromised the integrity of the unit.
The complaint alleges Ngcobo is a Mbhele proxy who is allowing the squandering of municipal funds by contracting companies owned by the city manager's associates.
He claims the companies are said to be conducting witch-hunts against Mbhele's foes under the guise of investigations at the CIIU and are bypassing supply chain management.
“The executive committee needs to investigate today how many contracts are awarded without following proper procurement processes in this municipality or tenders being channelled to certain individuals with the aim of personal gain.
“I challenge the executive of the city to investigate the awarding of tenders at CIIU, the municipal manager needs to account about tenders recently given to investigating companies at CIIU,” said Mabaso.
He said workers were frustrated, calling for engagement with oversight structures within the municipality.
“As workers we are saddened by the fact that portfolio committees are not playing their oversight roles, it is our wish that one day portfolio committees can hold meetings with workers so that they get to know true reflections of what is going on in all our departments,” Mabaso added.
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