ANC not taking corruption allegations seriously: DA
The Democratic Alliance (DA) feels the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal's decision to extend eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede's leave of absence yet again shows it is not taking the corruption allegations against her seriously.
ANC provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli announced on Tuesday that Gumede, eThekwini councillor Mondli Mthembu and Newcastle mayor Ntuthuko Mahlaba would remain on leave pending the finalisation of the report by the working committee investigating their respective matters.
Gumede and Mthembu are accused of fraud and corruption involving a municipal waste tender.
Mahlaba has murder charges hanging over his head.
The DA’s eThekwini caucus leader Nicole Graham says the ANC has failed the metro’s residents.
"We are frustrated that the ANC has decided to extend Gumede's leave. She is earning R115,000 a month of public money and this is the third month that she has been on leave.
"It is clear that the ANC is not concerned about cleaning up the city and about getting rid of corrupt leaders. It also begs the question as to why the ANC is protecting Gumede."
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Meanwhile, Ntuli says dysfunctional municipalities in the province will top the agenda when the provincial executive committee meets again.
Of all of KwaZulu-Natal's municipalities, only Okhahlamba received a pat on the back from the auditor-general in his recent report.
"The analysis we have made on our own, even without the report by the AG, paints a picture that various municipalities are in a state of decline. In this municipality, what is the problem? If it is management, what do we do with it? If it is leadership, what do we do?” asked Ntuli.
"That exercise began yesterday, the whole day yesterday, and we could not conclude on it."