Municipality accused of abusing state resources

TWO opposition political parties have raised concern regarding the alleged abuse of state resources by the King Cetshwayo District Municipality.

The DA has submitted grievances to district Municipal Manager Mbali Ndlovu, demanding answers, while the IFP has opened a case against the driver of a marked municipal vehicle who was last Thursday spotted distributing ANC T-shirts outside Gingindlovu community hall.

IFP District Secretary Tobias Gumede said they had no option but to report the matter to the police for investigation.

‘We find it disturbing that our district municipality uses state resources to support the ruling party in its campaign. That is against the law.

'The municipality hosted a women’s fraternal prayer in the Gingindlovu hall, a guise we believe to provide a platform for the ANC to canvas votes for the upcoming local government elections,' Gumede said.

‘Two ANC Women's League members were invited as speakers at the prayer. The local councillor was not invited to, nor informed about the prayer session.'

DA councillor Muzi Mtshali said they have written to the municipal manager requesting an urgent investigation against the misuse of municipal resources.

‘This follows a video on social media in which ANC members can be seen using a municipal vehicle for electioneering purposes.

Mtshali said the use of state resources to fund ANC campaigns is not a new phenomenon.

'It is not only a violation of the separation of state and party principle, but comes at massive expense to citizens who inadvertently fund the ANC campaign with their rates and taxes.'

No response from the King Cetshwayo District Municipality was received at the time of going to print.