The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding answers to why an imprisoned African National Congress (ANC) ward councillor for Mayville in the eThekwini Metro, Mzimuni Ngiba, is still getting a monthly salary.
Ngiba is in custody pending his trial for the murder of the ANC ward candidate, Syabonga Mkhize in the run-up to the 2021 Municipal Elections.
In the by-election that followed, Ngiba was elected ward councillor to replace the deceased.
The DA eThekwini caucus whip, Vincent Mkhize, says a vacancy should have been declared a long time ago since Ngiba is in custody.
“As per the speaker of eThekwini, he confirmed that he is in prison and confirmed that he still collects the salary. That is raising a concern for us as the DA caucus in eThekwini, because councillors are paid by taxpayers. What we are calling for is that this councillor should not continue collecting the salary and also the councillor has missed three meetings and should have been removed.”
Municipal Spokesperson, Lindiwe Khuzwayo, says processes are in place to declare a vacancy.
“eThekwini municipality can confirm that it is finalising processes related to one of its councillors who is in jail awaiting trial. There are legislated processes that must be followed in instances of councillor misconduct and council needs to follow those processes to the letter, failing which council would be opening itself up for legal challenges.”
