ANC purges scandal prone mayor and deputy in KwaDukuza shake-up

IN less than a year after the election of a new mayor, KwaDukuza Municipality, on the north of KwaZulu-Natal finds itself without a mayor after the ANC's summary axing of its scandal-prone mayor, Ali Muzi Ngidi.

The reaction from opposition parties like uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and the Democratic Alliance (MKP) is that of good riddance.

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal led by the provincial task team co-ordinator, Michael Mabuyakhulu ordered Ngidi and his deputy to pay back the taxpayer's money following the highly-publicised luxury vehicle hire scandal.

Ngidi was elected eight months ago on November 4, following the ousting of mayor Lindile Nhaca who couldn't withstand pressure from the provincial structure of the ANC to vacate her position. She was removed on October 31, through a vote of no confidence. 

Nhaca pleas to Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula to protect her from then-KZN ANC secretary Bheki Mtolo were unsuccessful.

Mtolo had explained her removal as part of the reconfiguration of the KwaDukuza municipality following the ANC's poor showing in the May elections last year.

Ngidi was removed along with his deputy mayor Sicelinjabulo Cele. Both tendered their resignations yesterday under pressure from the provincial ANC.

The decision was announced at a briefing by Mabuyakhulu.

"Following the proper channels, they will continue with their jobs until they have been successfully replaced. We have also requested them to pay back some of the money used to hire vehicles for them from the time they started their term of office," he said.

Ngidi and Cele's removal follows an ANC probe into misconduct and financial mismanagement, including over R1 million spent on hired vehicles and a monthly security bill of R173,000 for the mayor.

Ngidi had been deputy mayor during Nhaca's tenure, and his brief stint as mayor was marked by a R35.7 million embezzlement from the municipal coffers, rolling power outages during the summer holidays in December, and a municipal workers' strike this week.

Mabuyakhulu didn't announce when the party would make a decision on the new leadership.

Soon after assuming office, it was reported a municipal vehicle which was part of the previous mayor's fleet was used as a school shuttle for Ngidi's children.

The ANC provincial spokesperson, Fanle Sibisi, said the total cost to be paid by the mayor and Cele will be determined by the municipal council after a proper consolidation.

The two were alleged to have splurged on hired luxury vehicles when they assumed office, despite the availability of a roadworthy mayoral fleet, which included two BMW X3s with mileage of less than 70 000km. Ngidi further splurged on a Durban-based security firm by acquiring at least eight security who guarded his house around the clock.

The MKP's Ilembe Detachment Chairperson, Basil Ntuli, said: "We welcome and fully endorse this decision as it aligns with our long-standing concerns regarding the conduct and integrity of these individuals. For several months, the MK Party has been closely monitoring the actions of both the mayor and deputy mayor, whose conduct has repeatedly brought the name and governance of the KwaDukuza Municipality into disrepute."

Ntuli said the removal marked a necessary and overdue step towards restoring accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership within the municipality.

"The departure of these two individuals represents a turning point for KwaDukuza and provides an opportunity to refocus municipal priorities toward service delivery and community development," said Ntuli.

The DA's caucus leader in KwaDukuza Municipality, Privi Makhan, welcomed the removal of the mayor and his deputy, describing it as long overdue.

"Over the last eight months, Mayor Ngidi brought the Office of the Mayor into utter disrepute. Under his watch, service delivery collapsed, and basic municipal functions deteriorated while he embarked on a relentless pursuit to support events and vanities designed to boost his personal image.

"From day one, Ngidi made it clear that he had no intention of being a team player. His leadership was driven by a desire to shine alone, even if it meant dragging the municipality into dysfunction.

"Most damning were his roles in championing questionable financial decisions, the vehicle hire scandal, and his glaring absence when the people needed bold and ethical leadership the most. His short-lived legacy will be one of handshakes and his attempts to position himself as an Executive Mayor, through his ongoing attempts to take unilateral decisions, to the detriment of Council," said Makhan.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE