The Msunduzi Municipality is struggling to discipline offending workers, as officials are reportedly facing death threats.
A contractor who had lost his contract with the Msunduzi Municipality threatened and even “barged” into the home of a municipal employee he had blamed for losing the contract. This incident is among the threats faced by municipal workers in the municipality, revealing how proper governance and accountability are being threatened by criminals looking to evade responsibility.
The senior leadership of the Msunduzi Municipality briefed members of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on numerous threats directed at the city. It was revealed that these threats have led to municipal staff members refusing to lead investigations or chair disciplinary processes against their colleagues.
The issue arose after it emerged that the municipality has placed staff members accused of wrongdoing in different units. The city revealed that it cannot suspend employees for more than six months. If the disciplinary process has not been completed in six months, the employee is placed in a different unit to avoid the city incurring fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
Chair of the committee, Songezo Zibi, pressed the city on why it took six months to finalise the disciplinary process.
