Lungani Zungu
Thembinkosi Ngcobo has been fired for failing to report corruption – but he refuses to go.
“The charges against me are a ploy to destroy me,” said Ngcobo the axed eThekwini municipality head of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit.
He told Scrolla.Africa on Thursday that he was taking the municipality to court for “unfair dismissal.”
Ngcobo’s dismissal comes after two staff members in his unit paid a service provider R140,000 although the job was not done.
On Monday, the SA Local Government Bargaining Council announced Ngcobo’s sacking.
Ngcobo, a known backer of former president Jacob Zuma, said the charges against him were a ploy to destroy him.
“I have been very civil in the face of persistent attacks by enemies. I will fight to clear my name. I have not stolen even a cent from the municipality,” he said.
He said his lawyers were taking the municipality to court and he was confident he would win.
“I was not involved in any decision involving the money in question. I’m confused as to why my name is dragged into this,” he said.
Ngcobo attracted controversy in 2019 when he announced that the city had struck a deal with Zuma to record his popular songs and that his unit would pay Msholozi with taxpayers money to record his songs including his trademark Mshini wami.
Ngcobo, who said this was aimed at preserving heritage, was forced to reverse the bizarre deal after heavy criticism from the public and opposition parties.
The DA, EFF and the IFP all welcomed his axing.
The municipality declined to comment, claiming that the matter was in court.
Image source: @Tnngcobo
