The Deputy Mayor and the Speaker of the financially struggling Nongoma Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal have been fingered for draining municipal finances by burning fuel worth a combined R77 000 within three months.
Sabelo Nkosi, the deputy mayor from the EFF and Babongile Sithole from the ANC are said to have used more fuel as if they are covering the entire province of KwaZulu-Natal, yet they are responsible for a tiny rural municipality in the north of the province.
This is contained in a Fleet Report that was presented to the council on Wednesday, February 26, and later obtained by African Times.
It shows that Nkosi and Sithole each spent twice on fuel than Nongoma Local Municipality Mayor Clifford Ndabandaba, from the National Freedom Party (NFP), in the same period.
The report was prepared as part of proposals on how the municipality could save money, considering that its finances are not in good shape.
It covers a three month period – October to December 2024. Nkosi spent more than R42 000 on fuel alone in a period of three months.
In October alone, the deputy mayor spent R18 431 10. Nkosi went on to spend R16 036 05 in November and R18 071 40 in December on fuel.
On the other hand, Sithole burnt fuel worth more than R35 000 on fuel in three months. Sithole dpent R15 656 25 in October, R 10 449 50 in November and R9 777 30 in December.
By contrast, Nongoma Local Municipality Mayor Ndabandaba from the NFP, who has a pretty hectic schedule than the two, spent nearly R20 000 in fuel in the same period – far less than Sithole and Nkosi.
In October, Ndabandaba burnt fuel worth R8889 50, dropped to R3944.70 in November, and increased it to R7498. 05 in December.
As a result of the abuse of the fleet and petrol account, the Nongoma Local Municipality’s finances are further strained.
“In view of the detailed report, Nongoma Municipality is facing a serious challenge of over expenditure in the Fleet Init which needs control measures,” said the report, signed by Municipal ManagerMpumelelo Bongani Mnguni.
The fleet report recommended that the “council notes and considers the Fleet Report with cost analysis”.
It further reminded all parties that the council “plays an oversight role on consequence management to officials who are misusing municipal vehicles”.
It should be noted that in November last year, the Ndabandaba, Nkosi and Sithole spent several days behind bars after they were arrested for corruption.
Ndabandaba spent longer days as he only got bail later than his two colleagues. The same report also noted that the municipality was spending a lot of money to pay for eight vehicles it had leased from Bidvest and two from another unnamed vehicle leasing company.
To fuel and repair the vehicles, the municipality spent R626 591 66 between October and December 2024 (three months period).
