The assets of the KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) could soon be attached following the department’s failure to settle the R700,000 legal bill of ABC leader Philani Mavundla.

In October last year, Mavundla won a case against the department in the Pietermaritzburg High Court with costs, however to date, the department has not paid the legal fees. On Wednesday, Mavundla said he was preparing to attach the department’s assets to recoup his legal fees.

He stated that he would also ask the court to add interest as the department had been ordered to pay within 30 days from the date of the judgment.

“I am busy preparing papers for the sheriff to go and attach Cogta’s assets in Pietermaritzburg. The department was supposed to pay us within 30 days, however, it has been months since the judgment so the department is already in contempt of court,” said Mavundla.

In the case which Mavundla had won, Cogta had argued that Mavundla was no longer an ABC leader and his two party councillors were meant to be removed from the council as they had been fired by the party’s faction that claimed to control the party. 

Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said the department was investigating why the payment was not done.

“We are investigating where the process is now,” said Mzila.

Despite the ruling confirming Mavundla as a legitimate leader as well as the court order declaring the councillors as duly elected councillors of the Umvoti Municipality, Cogta recently used the same argument to challenge the ABC and ANC coalition when they used the same councillors in a motion of no confidence vote to remove the IFP from power.

The motion took place on October 17, however, it did not constitute a quorum which Mavundla said is the only reason why it needs to start afresh. The motion was reportedly sabotaged by two ANC councillors who did not enter the chamber.

“We have another motion which we are sure will be successful so we are going to remove the IFP from power. If Cogta tries to stop us, using the argument then we will meet in court again,” said Mavundla.

Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi is allegedly at the centre of the strained relations between the IFP and ANC in the province. Mavundla accused Buthelezi of using his government position to save the IFP from losing power in Umvoti.

Buthelezi’s alleged abuse of his government position was first raised by the ANC when it accused him of targeting ANC-led municipalities using his position as Cogta MEC. This was denied by the IFP which said Buthelezi’s decisions on municipalities are government’s and not his personal decisions.

In the new arrangement, the ABC’s Mfundo Masondo will be mayor while Nomvula Masikane will be deputy mayor. The Speaker will also go to the ABC.

In June last year, IFP teamed up with ANC to oust Mavundla as the mayor, however, ANC has rekindled its relationship with Mavundla as they gang up against IFP now.

willem.phungula@inl.co.za

Source link