The KwaDukuza district municipality on KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast is spending just more than R173,000 a month on private security at the mayor’s personal residence.
According to the latest invoice from Durban-based Pro Secure, the bill is for four day shift guards and four night shift guards at mayor Muzi “Ali” Ngidi’s residence.
Pro Secure group CEO Ferrel Govender is currently in custody facing charges for the December murder of Umhlanga logistics businessman Shailen Singh.
The invoice was leaked in a local community WhatsApp group, where residents have expressed outrage at the staggering amount, which does not include the additional costs of the mayor’s bodyguards, security vehicles and other security details.
However, the municipality has defended the expenditure.
Municipal spokesperson Sifiso Zulu told TimesLIVE Premium there had been a “number of security threats” against the mayor.
“The company that renders security services was appointed through a competitive bidding process. The rates reflected are tendered rates. The decision to deploy security personnel at the mayor's residence was taken after a number of security threats were observed.
“Some of these threats have resulted in cases being opened at the local police station. It may be added that there are other councillors whose security situation demands they have the same arrangement in their places of residence. Those bills are paid from the same account,” he said.
DA caucus leader in KwaDukuza Privi Makhan said the opposition party, in rejecting the draft budget, specifically cast a spotlight on close protection and security allocations to councillors.
“This is an indiscriminate amount that is a slap in the face to the people of KwaDukuza, who are on the receiving end of poor service delivery, while politicians inflate their egos with bloated security details.
We applaud their moral courage. One wonders why the mayor would need this extent of protection at his residence in the ward where he is the sitting councillor
— Deon Viljoen, Docrra chair
“The DA will be calling for a comprehensive report on the cost associated with protecting politicians and officials,” she said.
The Dolphin Coast Residents & Ratepayers Association (Docrra) was “absolutely disgusted” to learn of the amount spent to secure the mayor’s residence in Nkobongo.
“This is an abomination and an insult to the community at a time when residents are plagued by electricity outages and water issues. We are constantly told that budget for better service delivery and capital projects is not available, yet hundreds of thousands of rand are being wasted on one single man.
“Furthermore, ratepayers are being asked to shoulder a nearly 10% rates increase in the next budget to subsidise escalating electricity losses and the wastefulness and maladministration that is rife at KwaDukuza district municipality.
“Our community has had enough, and we are calling upon all Dolphin Coast residents to turn up on Thursday evening at Umhlali School to the IDP/Budget Imbizo to make our voices heard and stand together in solidarity against this abuse of power,” said Docrra chairperson Deon Viljoen.
Viljoen added Doccra was delighted to see whistle-blowers were coming forward to uncover “this malfeasance.”
“We applaud their moral courage. One wonders why the mayor would need this extent of protection at his residence in the ward where he is the sitting councillor.”
ProSecure didn’t respond to queries.
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