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Zululand District: We take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the people of this country who are sending us messages of support as we edge towards the creation of a municipality free of a “Corruption Perpetrator,” Cllr Thulasizwe Buthelezi. 

Importantly, we pause to acknowledge unwavering support from leaders of society, the majority of leaders of political parties and their members. 

We acknowledge with humility messages of support from traditional leaders whom we regard as our elders. The institution of traditional leadership must continue with its role of assisting all of us to focus on community development. 

It is our view that since time immemorial the institution of traditional leadership was always progressive in nature and character. It was never an antithesis of the democratic principle. It was the forces of colonialism and imperialism that undermined the progressiveness of the institution of traditional leadership instead of harnessing it.

By and large, the support we have received gives us strength to continue with our programme of action which is aimed at the restoration of clean governance, eradicating fraud, corruption and bribery from our own municipality.

Whilst we have received overwhelming support from Economic Freedom Fighters leaders and their supporters in the province and the district, we are unfortunately shocked by the conduct of the national leadership.

This morning we were informed by someone at the EFF Head Office that the national leadership instructed their single councillor, Deputy Mayor Thulani Ndlovu not to vote over the no-confidence motion in Cllr Thulasizwe “Corruption Perpetrator” Buthelezi.

It should be remembered few days ago, the “Corruption Perpetrator” seized the municipal vehicle allocated to Deputy Mayor Thulani Ndlovu. He boldly threatened to withdraw Ndlovu’s security detail. 

What informed such a reckless decision?  

What is the source of this confidence that makes Cllr Thulasizwe “Corruption Perpetrator” Buthelezi to be so brazen and untouchable ?

There is no shadow of a doubt that EFF leadership is involved in various forms of takings bribes, kickbacks and fraudulent transactions aided by Cllr Thulasizwe “Corruption Perpetrator” Buthelezi.

Given the fact that corruption tends to perpetuate itself, the option of allowing Cllr Thulasizwe “Corruption Perpetrator” Buthelezi to preside over the resources of this municipality is not viable.  Hence, the only choice for the residents of Zululand District is to take to the streets.

Our biggest challenge is that municipal resources are being abused to create the “heroic” status around such a criminal that styles itself as both Mayor and Reverend. What kind of a religious leaders behaves like this?

Our view is that Cllr Thulasizwe “Corruption Perpetrator” Buthelezi’s continued role in the municipality, will poison innocent minds of our councilors and aspiring youth leaders who are vulnerable as a result of rampant poverty that is so endemic in the district.

Thousands of innocent residents and young people in particular will end up admiring this criminal instead of searching for real role models in society. 

Community disapproval is an effective form of censure that our communities need to use to create an environment where crime can be fought. Giving criminal such as Cllr Thulasizwe “Corruption Perpetrator” Buthelezi a heroic status starts a vicious cycle of never ending crime.

In conclusion, as residents of Zululand District Municipality we wish to announce our Programme of Action Moving forward:-

Approaching the Public Protector Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane – requesting her office to launch a full scale investigation into rampant corruption and maladministration in Zululand District Municipality. Evidence will be provided in this regard;

Enlisting the services of the Hawks and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies within the forensic fraternity to investigate a variety of fraud and corruption activities in the municipality. Evidence will also be provided in this regard;

Working with KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government departments and national government to promote effective risk management by establishing risk management forums focused on units vulnerable to fraud such as Supply Chain Management. We need to rescue innocent municipal workers who are being converted into agents of criminal networks under the guidance of Cllr Thulasizwe “Corruption Perpetrator” Buthelezi;

Organizing workshops and campaigns to sustain a United Front Against Crime in Zululand District Municipality.

As residents of Zululand, we believe that it is through collective wisdom that we will be able to eradicate this scourge from our society. 

We are determined to stamp out corruption from Zululand District Municipality and ensure that every cent is accounted for and that issues of service delivery remain on top of the agenda.

We welcome the contribution and inputs from all political parties, religious leaders, big business and the civil society in general.

Issued by Residents of Zululand District Municipality