Latest news with #EndumeniMunicipality
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Endumeni resident challenges municipality over pothole damage claim
Glencoe resident James McCarthy is calling for transparency and accountability from the Endumeni Municipality after his R21,000 pothole damage claim was formally denied. The claim relates to two separate incidents on Transmission Lane, where McCarthy says dangerous road conditions have plagued motorists for years. In a detailed letter to the Courier, McCarthy expressed his frustration with how the municipality handled the matter. 'From the beginning, the process was flawed,' he said, alleging delays, miscommunication, and a lack of proper documentation. The municipality reportedly justified the claim rejection by stating that damage could not have occurred at the road's 40km/h speed limit. McCarthy, however, disputes this. 'There is no signage to indicate a 40km/h limit. By national default, urban roads are set at 60km/h unless otherwise stated,' he explained. He added that most drivers travel below 15km/h on Transmission Lane due to its deteriorated state. 'There are at least 15 major potholes – some classified as severity level five. Yet, the municipality refers vaguely to one pothole, claiming it is too shallow to cause damage,' he said. McCarthy has formally requested: Proof of the claimed 40km/h limit Evidence that he exceeded it Documentation showing negligence on his part The full pothole inspection report used in the claim decision He also alleges administrative failure, noting that internal processes were said to be completed by 5 June, but email records show the claim was still being processed on June 13 – the day it expired. Despite a meeting on June 20 where it was reportedly agreed that both his 2023 and 2025 claims would be reviewed, the denial letter did not acknowledge the earlier case. 'We were promised that potholes would be repaired before the end of June. That deadline has passed, and nothing has changed,' McCarthy added. The resident has also raised concerns about missing documents in the insurance process, stating that no signed or complete forms were submitted, and personal details were omitted. 'The system failed us,' he concluded. 'This goes beyond a burst tyre – it's about the integrity of the process.' The Courier contacted the municipality, which stated that the Finance Department is addressing the matter. In another development, McCarthy was later told that the insurer had closed the claim as it falls within the client's excess and was advised to take up the issue directly with the municipality. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at [email protected]. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Endumeni gets smart with rollout of R4.6m prepaid meter system
Endumeni Municipality is rolling out a new smart prepaid electricity metering system across all seven wards, with installations set to begin soon. The project aims to curb electricity theft while giving consumers better control over their energy usage. Endumeni's Eskom debt continues to climb A stakeholder meeting was held at the Moth Hall on June 17, where ward councillors and municipal officials were joined by representatives from Conlog – the Durban-based company awarded the R4.6 million tender to supply and install the new meters. The project is being monitored by the National Treasury and was gazetted officially, with regular audits to be conducted by both the Treasury and Conlog. The new meters will be linked to a mobile app, allowing residents and business owners to monitor electricity usage and make purchases directly via their smartphones. The installation will take place in phases, with each ward receiving advance notice through WhatsApp and community networks. Ward councillors will receive training to help residents understand how to use the system. Conlog has committed to sharing information via social media and distributing multilingual pamphlets to ensure that all consumers are fully informed. Temporary jobs will be open per ward to assist contractors with the rollout. Applicants need to be qualified at least N3 to N6 in electrical engineering. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Endumeni municipality loses another labour case – and must pay up
Endumeni municipality loses another labour case – and must pay up Another failed labour dispute is set to cost Endumeni Municipality R1 042 673, following an arbitration ruling handed down by the South African Local Government Bargaining Council. This ruling adds to the municipality's financial woes, coming just months after a separate October 2024 Bargaining Council decision that already dealt a blow of nearly R1-million to its budget. The latest case centres on the 2023 dismissal of Sifiso Mhlungu, the former municipal human resources manager. While the council found the dismissal to be procedurally fair, it ruled that it was substantively unfair, meaning the decision lacked valid reasoning despite being carried out through the correct process. Mhlungu is to be reinstated retrospectively from November 2023 and is due back at work at the end of the week. The municipality has 14 days to pay him out. Charges were brought against Mhlungu related to misconduct and negligence carried out in his duties as HR manager. However, the hearing found that in one instant, an employee had been served with a suspension notice before Mhlungu was appointed – hence, there was no case. The arbitrator decided not to award costs as Mlungu was returning to work and believed that this would not be 'conducive to a healthy working environment'. It is unclear if the municipality has paid the money it was ordered to pay to the fired corporate services manager, Sakhele Zulu. Commissioner P van Zyl had ruled that the case against Zulu was procedurally unfair and he awarded Zulu 11 months' salary, amounting to over R996 972. He had previously taken further legal action after the municipality failed to meet the payout deadline, but there has been no further news if he has received the money. The municipality is yet to comment on the ruling. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Endumeni municipality in hot water again after probe reveals dodgy tenders
Endumeni Municipality is under renewed scrutiny following the release of a CoGTA-commissioned report revealing serious allegations of fraud, maladministration, and corruption. The probe, initiated by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and conducted by a private auditing firm, was completed in April 2024but only presented to council behind closed doors on March 14, 2025, The investigation centers on over R3.5 million in questionable payments made in 2023 for security services, mainly benefiting former Mayor Siyabonga Ndlovu. Two senior officials face disciplinary recommendations for authorizing payments without valid contracts, while a third implicated official has since resigned. The report highlights irregularities surrounding a cession agreement between two similarly named security firms and a misused Regulation 32 procurement process involving Newcastle Municipality. Payments were made before contracts were finalized, and internal oversight mechanisms were bypassed. One official, Zakhele Zulu, who laid a corruption charge at Dundee SAPS, was dismissed but when he appealed his firing, a hearing awarded R9 million after an appeal deemed his hearing unfair. CoGTA has given Endumeni Council 21 days to submit an action plan, but no public response has yet been issued. ANC Councillor Spha Kheswa raised concerns over officials still in office, warning of possible cover-ups. The Endumeni Residents Association, ERA, condemned the delay in releasing the report, calling the actions 'fraudulent and well-planned.' HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
