The City of uMhlathuze, led by Mayor Xolani Ngwezi and accompanied by Municipal Manager N.G. Zulu, Deputy Municipal Manager, and Speaker of Mhlathuze Mr Gumede, convened a media briefing to address pressing matters and respond to allegations made by Bheki Mtolo, the Secretary of the ANC.
During the briefing, Mayor Ngwezi refuted the allegations made by Mr Mtolo, specifically concerning the city’s finances. Mayor Ngwezi asserted that Mr Mtolo’s claims were unfounded and requested an apology, expressing concern about Mr Mtolo’s intentions and safety. He emphasized that it appears the City of Mhlathuze is causing sleepless nights for the African National Congress and Mr Mtolo, highlighting Mr Mtolo’s apparent lack of knowledge regarding the necessary protocols for commenting on financial matters.
Turning to the financial state of the municipality, Mayor Ngwezi reassured the public, citing the latest Auditor General’s report, which awarded Mhluthuze Municipality a Clean Audit for the year 2023. He urged people to rely on reports from credible state institutions like the Auditor General, dismissing Mr Mtolo’s statements.
Addressing the waste collection crisis, Mayor Ngwezi attributed the issue to logistical challenges, revealing that several waste collection trucks had encountered problems, leading to disruptions in their daily operations. In response, the municipality has introduced a new schedule for waste collection this week to manage the situation effectively.
