By Celani Sikhakhane
- ANC asks IFP to distance itself from mayor Xolani Ngwezi, who was arrested for taking bribes.
- Freeman Security boss opened a case after the mayor allegedly asked for money in exchange for business.
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal wants the IFP to stay away from their mayor, who was arrested for allegedly taking bribes.
uMhlathuze mayor Xolani Ngwezi was arrested after a security company boss opened a case against him in Richards Bay.
The owner of Freeman Security says Ngwezi asked him for money in exchange for business with the municipality.
ANC spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Fanle Sibisi, said they were shocked by the mayor’s arrest and a voice message doing the rounds on social media.
In the voice message, Ngwezi apparently told people that only he and city manager Phakama Mhlongo could ask Freeman Security for money on behalf of the IFP.
But uMhlathuze Speaker Tobias Gumede says the charges are not serious and Ngwezi is still walking free.
“People are spreading lies on social media saying Mayor Xolani Ngwezi has been arrested for corruption,” he said.
“We want to make it clear that these claims are false and have no truth to them.”
Gumede said Ngwezi has not been arrested, charged, or locked up by police.
“The mayor was told by Richards Bay police about a small complaint opened against him,” he said.
He said that on 17 June, Ngwezi went to the police on his own to find out what the complaint was about and to show he wants to follow the law.
Pictured above: Umhlathuze Mayor Xolani Ngwezi was arrested for corruption.
Image source: @UmhlathuzeM
