Durban — The IFP-led Abaqulusi Local Municipality Speaker Mkhonyovu Khumalo is in hot water after a video clip where he allegedly promoted nepotism went viral.
Khumalo was addressing mourners at the funeral of the party councillor, Phaphama Mbatha, at the weekend.
In a 30-second video, Khumalo is heard telling mourners in a marquee that he had instructed the municipal manager that Mbatha’s family must bring one of the dead councillor’s children to be given work at the municipality. If there was no vacancy, the manager would have to fire an ANC-aligned worker to make way for the child of the councillor who had died.
This prompted calls for action against the Speaker.
Community leader Lindo Xulu said what the Speaker said had vindicated the community that the IFP leadership was corrupt. She said she he had already written to Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala to institute a forensic investigation.
The NFP also called for action against the Speaker.
The party whip in Zululand, Siphamandla Ntombela, said the IFP had completely changed what he knew as a party that hated corruption.
ANC regional secretary Ntokozo Nxumalo said he was busy writing a letter to the Public Protector’s office to institute an investigation, saying that Khumalo was in clear violation of the country’s labour laws.
The IFP appeared to have been angered by Khumalo’s behaviour and summoned him to appear before the party’s political oversight committee responsible for deployment and recalling party members from government positions.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the party had been made aware of the matter.
“The IFP has been made aware of the matter regarding councillor Khumalo and the Political Oversight Committee (POC) is looking into the matter and Khumalo will present himself to the POC at its next meeting to explain himself,” said Hlengwa.
He said the IFP wished to reiterate the importance of the separation of party and state/government, and give due adherence to employment processes within the dictates of the law.
Attempts to get Khumalo were successful.
The person who answered his cellphone said he was on the portfolio committee but promised to pass the message to him. He had not yet responded at the time of going to press.
Daily News