Sihle Mavuso presents the latest news from KwaZulu-Natal.
Umzinto – The troubled Umdoni local municipality on the South Coast is trying to stop the sheriff from attaching its critical assets and selling them in a public auction. The proceeds would compensate the head of human resources, who won back her job after it was ruled that she had been unfairly dismissed. Dr Bongiwe Mbatha was fired in November 2022, and in March this year, the bargaining council ruled in her favour and set aside the panel’s decision to fire her. The ANC-run municipality then missed the deadline to oppose the matter in the Labour Court until Mbatha’s legal team obtained a writ of execution to attach and sell the municipal assets.
Durban – The Chinese national who killed a woman and wounded four others from his native China has appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court. The unnamed 36-year-old suspect was arrested on 1 May at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng, trying to flee after the incident in Durban North on 28 April. He will now appear before the Durban Magistrate’s Court on 15 May to face a murder charge and four counts of attempted murder.
Pietermaritzburg – Service providers contracted by the provincial education department to supply foodstuffs to schools have been told that they will be paid for 21 days instead of 22 this month. In a notice to the service providers, the department said that 29 May is voting day, and schools will not be open. If a service provider has already supplied for 22 days, the extra day will be carried over to June.
Durban – The Inkatha Freedom Party has criticised people using language with tribal undertones on social media as the campaign for the 29 May elections heats up. The party said: “We note that a worrying trend is making its rounds on social media platforms on tribal spurring and incitement, which perpetuates hate and intolerance. We urge all South Africans to use social media responsibly and within the ambit of the law.”
Richards Bay – The City of Umhlathuze has warned its residents to expect prolonged water cuts after it failed in its frantic attempt to prevent the Umngeni-Uthukela Water Board from implementing the suspicious and sudden maintenance of water plants supplying bulk water to it. To lessen the impact of the cuts during maintenance, the municipality announced that it would send water tankers to health facilities and schools. It will also put static Jojo tanks in various communities.
Pictured above: The Umdoni municipality is trying to prevent the sheriff from auctioning its assets.
Image source: Facebook
