Celani Sikhakhane
The first council meeting at Umngeni Municipality, the only municipality run by the DA in KwaZulu-Natal, collapsed on Friday.
The meeting was expected to inaugurate the new mayor Chris Pappas and his deputy Sandile Mnikathi.
But the meeting collapsed without the newly elected councillors being sworn in because suspended municipal manager Thembeka Cibane walked in and demanded to preside over the swearing in process.
This forced the DA and EFF councillors to stage a walkout.
Pappas said they could not continue with the meeting with Cibane present.
“The suspension does not allow her to be on municipal premises and that stands until the council resolution changes. This means her presence here makes this meeting illegal,” Pappas said.
The acting municipal manager failed to enforce the conditions of Cibane’s suspension.
Cibane told Scrolla.Africa that she believed her suspension has lapsed which means she was allowed to constitute her duties as the municipal manager of uMngeni.
“I have been back at work for quite some time now. That is why I really don’t understand the DA’s concerns,” said Cibane.
DA KZN leader Francois Rodgers said that they have also begun legal proceedings to ensure that a new council meeting is called and mayor-elect Chris Pappas and his team are inaugurated.
“The voters of uMngeni have given us that mandate and we will ensure that our mandate to govern is carried out without further delays.”
Opposition party councillors were sworn in at the Howick Magistrate’s Court after the DA and EFF walkout.
