By Sihle Mavuso
The Nongoma Local Municipality has gone to the Pietermaritzburg High Court to fight a decision by the new MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
Buthelezi did not allow the extension of their acting municipal manager (MM) and chief financial officer (CFO) contracts.
The municipality, led by the NFP-ANC-EFF coalition, filed urgent court papers late on Tuesday and wants the case to be heard on Friday.
MEC Buthelezi and his department have received the court papers from the municipality.
The dispute started when Buthelezi decided not to extend the acting contracts for MM Sipho Nkosi and acting CFO Bhekokuhle Menyuka.
Instead, on Monday he sent in AB Mnikathi to replace Nkosi and BW Ndlovu to replace Menyuka.
The municipality wants the high court to cancel Buthelezi’s decision and make him pay legal costs.
They also want to see the recordings of the meeting where the decision was made.
The court papers say Buthelezi must provide the court with the records and reasons for his decision within fifteen days.
The application is supported by affidavits from Mayor Mshangane Ndabandaba and Speaker Babongile Sithole.
Sithole argues that only the council can appoint the MM and CFO, including acting positions.
“The first respondent does not have powers to appoint Acting Municipal Managers or Acting Chief Financial Officers unless he has been asked to do so in terms of the Systems Act,” Sithole said.
Pictured above: Buthelezi is being challenged in court.
Source: Supplied
