ANC accuses Deputy Mayor of IFP-run uMzumbe Municipality of using municipal vehicle for party events
The Deputy Mayor of uMzumbe Local Municipality in the South Coast, Mlungisi Ndlovu, is being accused by the ANC in the Tolomane Mnyayiza Region of using a municipal vehicle to transport people in IFP regalia to a party event.
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The African National Congress (ANC) in the Tolomane Mnyayiza Region has accused the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Deputy Mayor of uMzumbe Municipality, Mlungisi Ndlovu, of abusing public resources after he was allegedly seen transporting IFP supporters in a branded municipal vehicle.
In a media statement issued on Tuesday by the ANC's Tolomane Mnyayiza Regional spokesperson, Lindo Mzimela the party said it was “shocked and appalled” by what it described as unethical conduct that amounted to the misuse of municipal assets for partisan political purposes, in the Hibberdene-anchored municipality on KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast.
The party claimed the incident was not isolated, but part of a broader pattern of behaviour by IFP leadership in uMzumbe, whom it accused of repeatedly turning municipal resources into tools of political patronage.
“This represents a blatant abuse of public trust,” the statement read.
“Municipal assets exist to serve communities, not the political ambitions of individuals or parties.”
The ANC said it would closely monitor the matter and has called on the Municipal Manager to take action in line with the municipality’s fleet management policy.
It also demanded accountability from the official who was driving the vehicle at the time of the alleged incident.In addition, the party said it would scrutinise the conduct of the Municipal Council, including the Speaker, to ensure that council rules and procedures are applied “without fear or favour”.
“The ANC will not rest until this flagrant misappropriation of municipal resources is fully investigated and those responsible are held to account,” the statement said.
According to the ANC, residents of uMzumbe deserve leadership that prioritises service delivery and ethical governance over party-political interests.
On Tuesday, uMzumbe Municipality said it was aware of social media posts about a municipality vehicle that was ferrying people in political party regalia. The municipality said it will investigate the incident as it was against municipality's fleet management policy.