The KwaZulu-Natal government of provincial unity is under strain after a public fight between the ANC’s Bheki Mtolo and MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi from the IFP.
On Wednesday, ANC KZN secretary Mtolo criticised Buthelezi in the legislature, labelling him a risk to the stability of the coalition government.
The coalition includes the IFP, ANC, DA, and NFP.
Mtolo accused Buthelezi of illegally removing and replacing administrators installed by the previous ANC government.
He also criticised Buthelezi for blocking the extension of contracts for Nongoma municipal manager Sipho Nkosi and chief financial officer Bhekokuhle Menyuka.
“We view the removal, replacement, and appointment of administrators, municipal managers, and chief financial officers by MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi without following due processes as reckless and illegal,” he said.
He said the MEC has no authority to appoint acting municipal manager AB Mnikathi and acting financial officer BW Ndlovu as the new acting CFO in the Nongoma local municipality.
“We have been informed that the intention is to ensure that procurement processes are manipulated and that municipal resources are diverted for the benefit of a criminal syndicate,” Mtolo said.
Buthelezi responded, reminding Mtolo that the ANC was no longer in power and that he could not “bark orders” at MECs and heads of departments (HoDs).
He mentioned an ongoing investigation that could implicate ANC leaders in corruption and maladministration.
“A forensic investigation into procurement and employment violations between January 2023 and May 2024 would most likely lead to criminal charges against senior ANC leaders in the province,” Buthelezi said.
Buthelezi also mentioned Mtolo’s involvement in the Thando Tubane saga. Tubane, a former department head, continued to get a salary of around R190,000 a month despite his resignation not being approved for months.
“If I were Mr. Mtolo, I would keep quiet,” Buthelezi said.
“The information at my disposal implicates even himself in the saga of the resignation of the former HoD and his subsequent unlawful secondment to the national government.”
Pictured above: Bheki Mtolo is involved in a public fight with Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
