EThekwini Municipality can confirm that it is at the tail end of legislated Council processes related to Councillor Muzimuni Ngiba who is currently in jail awaiting trial.

 

The municipality understands public interest in the matter. It also understands public expectation that the matter of Councillor Ngiba's absence from Council duties should have been speedily finalised. However, in terms of the Code of Conduct for Councillors there is a defined process that must be followed, failing which the municipality could open itself up to legal challenge.

 

Additionally, Council has already approved the procedure that should be followed by the Speaker in case a Councillor is in breach of the Code of Conduct.

 

In terms of the Code of Conduct for Councillors, there are several steps that must be followed in instances of misconduct involving a councillor, such as chronic absence from Council meetings. The steps include the Speaker writing to the Councillor and giving him/her an opportunity to state his/her case, among other steps. This has been done.  The final step in the process is a report to Council authorising the Speaker to sanction Cllr Ngiba. This report will be tabled in the next Council meeting.

 

Unfortunately some legislated processes take longer that some would like, but the Council cannot flout its own rules by acting arbitrarily.

 

ENDS

 

Issued by eThekwini Communications Unit