IMATU COMMENTS ON ARREST OF BUFFALO CITY MAYOR

The Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) welcomes the recent arrest of the Buffalo City Municipality Mayor Zukiswa Ncitha and five other officials in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Monday, for alleged fraud involving former President, Nelson Mandela’s memorial service.

“IMATU has been concerned with reports of financial maladministration within the Buffalo City Municipality for a number of years. Independent reports as well as those issued by the Auditor General have highlighted concerns of financial improprieties, maladministration and a lack of decisive leadership within the Municipality. We fully endorse the ANC’s position that ‘corruption is a cancer that has no place in the ANC or South African society’”, commented IMATU Eastern Cape Regional Manager, Cathi Botes.

IMATU welcomes the action taken by the Hawks thus far. The union strongly believes that all those government officials found to be guilty of fraudulent and corrupt activities must be held accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

“We trust that in dealing with this specific situation effectively, our leaders will also intensify the national fight against corruption and fraud throughout local government structures. We support any action that will root out corruption and ensure that municipal resources are correctly channelled into sustainable development and service delivery,” concluded Botes.