Mtuba Municipal Manager suspended from duty

Mtubatuba's Municipal Manager has been formally suspended from duty, after a resolution by the Executive Committee. Dr EMS Ntombela was suspended with full pay, pending a formal disciplinary hearing or pre-dismissal arbitration. Council also resolved that formal charges will be served on Dr Ntombela to enable him to prepare for the legal proceedings, which could include an agreement on pre-dismissal arbitration arrangements in terms of the Labour Relations Act. Dr Ntombela, who is represented by Mr Zwelonke Ngwenya, of ZW Ngwenya Attorneys, is inter alia facing charges relating to alleged non-compliance with municipal performance regulations. Charges include failure to provide monthly budget statements, failure to provide performance reports, not reporting on the progress of a theft case, failure to follow recommendations of the Bid and Adjudication Committee and certain appointments, which are now being disputed by Council. However, Dr Ntombela indicated through his legal representative, that he is prepared to defend the decisions he made as Municipal Manager, as well as his courses of action and that he is ready to provide any information that may help the disciplinary process. According to reports, an earlier disagreement erupted between the Mayor, Cllr CG Swartz and Dr Ntombela, after Dr Ntombela’s refusal to endorse a lease agreement between the municipality and a property group for the lease of the Mtubatuba Old Taxi Rank. Dr Ntombela is expected to seek an upliftment of the suspension, which will in turn be opposed by EXCO. If the parties are unable to reach a settlement, the case will inevitably be referred to Labour Court. The specific facts of the matter are sub-judice and shall thus not be reported on.