In 2022, following an investigation of eThekwini authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the SIU uncovered, inter alia, the irregular and illicit sale of scores of city land sites.
It then required the city to take necessary legal and other appropriate action against the corrupt officials and firms who colluded and collaborated in wrongful and irregular actions.
Sadly to date none of the offenders has been brought to book. The offences resulted in the companies raking in millions, as the sites had been unlawfully bought cheaply.
Consistently underperforming Mayor Cyril Xaba, the political head, and inept City Manager Musa Mbhele, the administrative head, the buck stops with you. Please get off your high horses and do the needful without further delay.
You have failed, once again, to achieve clean administration and good governance. As leaders you lack both competency and credibility. Your blatant omissions, especially in this matter which has much public interest, are disconcerting.
Where also is consequence management, a key principle of management? Why are you dithering? Who are you protecting? Crooks and wrongdoers must be tried and get long jail terms following conviction.
In view of the city’s dismal record of service delivery – a key constitutional requirement – corruption, gross incompetence and shocking maladministration, I repeat my previous call for KZN Premier Thami Ntuli to please act under the authority of Section 139 of Act 108 of 1996 (RSA Constitution) to place eThekwini under administration.
Surely enough is enough, and the city, its residents, businesses and associates deserve much better. | Simon T. Dehal, Verulam