The DA in the Eastern Cape has threatened legal action against embattled Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) for what it termed the illegal extension of the contract of employment of its under fire municipal manager Nokuthula Zondani.
This follows a recent decision by council to terminate Zondani’s contract nine days before it was meant to expire.
Subsequent to the “highly confidential” council meeting on October 31, DA constituency leader Jane Cowley dropped the court action bombshell in a statement. However, the municipality has opted not to comment, citing the law of sub judice.
“The DA is taking EMLM to court after the council resolved to illegally extend the contract of the muncipal manager. During Zondani’s tenure EMLM has fallen into financial ruin and the municipality owes Eskom R900 million. Basic services have collapsed and electrical infrastructure is dilapidated. In April 2021 this total failure came to a head when the provincial government placed the municipality under administration,” she said.
Even the national government has intervened in the affairs of the financially distressed local authority with national cabinet representative, Dr Monde Tom, leading a team of experts deployed to EMLM.
“We will now approach the Makhanda High Court in an urgent basis to request a review of the municipal manager’s contract extension and have it set aside. The DA has been at the forefront of exposing the rampant corruption and mismanagement in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality and we will not rest until it is rooted out. The municipality has failed them (residents) and they deserve better,” said Cowley.
EMLM spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa said, “As the matter is to be heard in court, we cannot at this stage comment on a matter that is sub judice.”
Cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Zolile Williams’ spokesperson, Pheelo Olifant, said Williams’ office was not aware of the extension as no communication had been sent through.
