Protest erupts as Port St John’s municipality spends millions trying to oust its manager amid corruption claims.
Cash-strapped Port St John’s local municipality in the Eastern Cape, has spent more than R4 million in legal fees over the past five months in a bid to remove its municipal manager, according to documents seen by The Citizen.
A spreadsheet detailing the cost of R4 038 458.95, incurred by the municipality for the disciplinary hearing of Mluleki Fihlani, excludes costs for venue hire and expenditure by attorneys appointed by mayor Cebisa Mazuza.
When asked for comment, Mazuza did not respond regarding the amount spent.
R4m in legal fees to remove its manager
In a letter to Gxumisa Incorporated Attorneys, Mazuza said: “I am appointing you as evidence leader in the disciplinary hearing matter of Mluleki Fihlani. According to the private investigator, there is evidence the allegations are serious.”
Costs would be according to quoted rates, she added.
ALSO READ: Municipality’s CFO ‘hounded out’ of job for refusing to sign dubious contracts
The move to remove Fihlani prompted a recent protest bringing Port St Johns to a standstill.
Among several controversies to rock the town, were that chief financial officer Tembisa Kahla Sikolo resigned last month and has gone to ground, fearing for her safety.
Opposition parties said she resigned due to pressure from politicians who wanted her to sign off on dubious multimillion-rand contracts.
Resignation due to pressure – opposition
Another is the resignation by the internal audit manager, allegedly due to “mistreatment”.
African Transformation Movement local leader Mzwandile JamJam said “politically connected individuals are siphoning off taxpayers’ money through questionable government contracts”.
NOW READ: Corruption claims swirl as Port St Johns CFO steps down
