By Celani Sikhakhane
Workers at Inkosi Langalibalele municipality near Drakensberg in KZN are fearing for their lives. They claim that they were threatened with death if they dared to apply for a managerial post that is allegedly reserved for the widow of a feared councillor in that area.
This comes after the municipality has internally advertised the auxiliary manager post with an annual package of over R500,000 – and only matric and driver’s licence requirements.
Staff members claim that interviews for this post are taking place on Tuesday, 6 August.
“This is painful because we all want to grow as staff members. We thought when the municipality advertised this post internally it was a good decision to give us an opportunity to try our luck.
“Unfortunately all of us received threats soon after the post was out that we must not dare to apply. Knowing the state of our municipality and the issue of hitmen we then decided to withdraw our applications,” a source said.
Another source said the post is earmarked for the widow of the late IFP councillor Mthembeni Majola who was the most feared leader in the municipality.
Wheelchair-bound Majola was killed in 2019 while driving on the R105 highway in the Estcourt area. He was accompanied by his minor nephew, who survived the attack, and colleague Sithembiso Promise Mahlinza, who also died.
Workers claim that even their unions are scared to challenge this matter because the lives of their leaders might be in danger.
Londi Mazibuko of Imatu – the municipal union at Inkosi Langalibalele local municipality – told Scrolla.Africa that the only person who should comment is their chairperson, Simphiwe Sikhakhane.
Sikhakhane could not be reached for comments as his phone rang unanswered.
Municipal spokesperson Zodwa Ngobeni promised to respond to a media query that was sent via email but she was not answering calls in time for publication.
Pictured above: Inkosi Langalibalele local municipality is accused of threatening its workers.
Source: X
