NGCOBO, Eastern Cape — Fresh demonstrations have brought the rural town of Ngcobo to a complete standstill, as community members intensify their demand for the removal of Khathutshelo Mulaudzi, the municipal manager of the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality. The Ngcobo protests are driven by mounting accusations of systemic corruption, financial mismanagement, and a severe decline in public services since Mulaudzi’s appointment.
Organized by the Ngcobo Yethu Civic Organisation, the march saw local businesses remain shuttered from morning until afternoon, with law enforcement officers positioned on standby to monitor the gathering. A spokesperson for the civic organization stated that residents view Mulaudzi as the central figure in the municipality’s ongoing corruption. Since his hiring in 2021, the spokesperson argued, the town has experienced a downward spiral, characterized by unconstructed roads, pervasive dirt, and a stark lack of basic service delivery compared to neighboring municipalities.
Beyond service delivery, the civic group’s spokesperson leveled serious accusations regarding internal governance. The organization claims that Mulaudzi has consistently awarded municipal tenders to outside companies while actively victimizing staff members over the past five years. The spokesperson detailed how the accounting officer allegedly bypasses legal protocols, collective agreements, and proper suspension or dismissal procedures, acting with impunity under the protection of local politicians. Consequently, whistleblowers who attempt to expose financial misconduct or procedural breaches are reportedly silenced through retaliatory suspensions.
Highlighting recent financial irregularities, the civic representative pointed to instances where contractors received payments without completing their assigned tasks. As a specific example, the spokesperson noted that a construction crew working on a building directly across from the protest area abandoned the site last week Saturday after the municipality failed to remunerate them for their work.
Addressing the public outcry, a municipal spokesperson confirmed that the local government has officially acknowledged the residents’ grievances. The spokesperson conceded that the current instability within the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality is indeed hindering effective service delivery. However, the municipal representative emphasized that similar allegations against the municipal manager have been previously referred to independent oversight and investigative bodies, which ultimately found the claims unsubstantiated.
Furthermore, the municipal spokesperson affirmed that the administration has fully cooperated with the Office of the Public Protector, submitting all requested documentation. The municipality stated it will await the formal outcome of the Public Protector’s report before making any definitive administrative moves. Despite this assurance, the protesting residents and the Ngcobo Yethu Civic Organisation have vowed to maintain their campaign, pledging to keep pressure on local authorities until their demands for accountability are fully met.
