Vocal Ngqushwa Municipality council speaker Zukisa Jowela is under fire for speaking out about irregularities at the municipality.
The Daily Dispatch has seen correspondence, written by mayor Solomzi Ndwayana, calling for his conduct to be investigated.
Ndwayana complains about Jowela’s conduct relating to the manner in which he publicly dealt with matters currently being dealt with by the administration and council.
The main issues are Jowela’s comments to a national radio station and journalists, including the Daily Dispatch, about issues within the municipality.
It includes the delay in the appointment of a community services manager, Thembinkosi Ntanjana.
Ntanjana was legally employed by the municipality early last year to head the community services unit, but a year later he has yet to take up the position.
The matter is currently being handled by the council and they have resolved that two legal opinions be obtained to take an informed decision on Ntanjana’s matter.
Last month Jowela was quoted as saying the matter had been delayed by the mayor’s office and “could lead to litigation against the municipality as Ntanjana was legally employed by the municipality”.
A second issue involved councillors and employees of the municipality paid double their salaries in March.
Last month municipal bosses were trying hard to recoup the money from employees without success.
Jowela commented about it in the media, saying the council asked municipal administrators to provide council with a report of how this had happened as council was told it was a technical error from the side of the management.
In his letter, Ndwayana said the speaker had breached the code of conduct for councillors and must be reported to the council.
“In light of the seriousness of this matter, I request council to either investigate this matter, or appoint a special committee to investigate this matter and make findings on the alleged breach,” he said.
The Dispatch also understands that a third issue was that Jowela is accused of misusing a state vehicle attached to his office.
Yesterday the mayor said the letter was an internal matter. “I can’t comment on this,” said Ndwayana.
Jowela confirmed that the letter was written by the mayor to the council, calling for him to be investigated.
“But mayor is clueless about the policies and I have a right to comment to the media on issues that have been tabled or discussed by the council,” said Jowela.
He said the matter was dismissed by the council.
“I cannot be suspended by an individual – there’s no council resolution on this matter,” said Jowela.
Council speaker faces backlash after speaking out about irregularities
The Daily Dispatch has seen correspondence, written by mayor Solomzi Ndwayana, calling for his conduct to be investigated.
Ndwayana complains about Jowela’s conduct relating to the manner in which he publicly dealt with matters currently being dealt with by the administration and council.
The main issues are Jowela’s comments to a national radio station and journalists, including the Daily Dispatch, about issues within the municipality.
It includes the delay in the appointment of a community services manager, Thembinkosi Ntanjana.
Ntanjana was legally employed by the municipality early last year to head the community services unit, but a year later he has yet to take up the position.
The matter is currently being handled by the council and they have resolved that two legal opinions be obtained to take an informed decision on Ntanjana’s matter.
Last month Jowela was quoted as saying the matter had been delayed by the mayor’s office and “could lead to litigation against the municipality as Ntanjana was legally employed by the municipality”.
A second issue involved councillors and employees of the municipality paid double their salaries in March.
Last month municipal bosses were trying hard to recoup the money from employees without success.
Jowela commented about it in the media, saying the council asked municipal administrators to provide council with a report of how this had happened as council was told it was a technical error from the side of the management.
In his letter, Ndwayana said the speaker had breached the code of conduct for councillors and must be reported to the council.
“In light of the seriousness of this matter, I request council to either investigate this matter, or appoint a special committee to investigate this matter and make findings on the alleged breach,” he said.
The Dispatch also understands that a third issue was that Jowela is accused of misusing a state vehicle attached to his office.
Yesterday the mayor said the letter was an internal matter. “I can’t comment on this,” said Ndwayana.
Jowela confirmed that the letter was written by the mayor to the council, calling for him to be investigated.
“But mayor is clueless about the policies and I have a right to comment to the media on issues that have been tabled or discussed by the council,” said Jowela.
He said the matter was dismissed by the council.
“I cannot be suspended by an individual – there’s no council resolution on this matter,” said Jowela.
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