KSD mayoral change must not derail accountability
Statement by Raymond Knock, UDM Whip in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality notes the resignation of Councillor Nyaniso Goodman Nelani as Executive Mayor of KSD, and the election of Nkosi Mkhanyiseli Dudumayo as the new Executive Mayor.
The UDM in KSD respects the principle that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. The UDM does not seek to prejudge Councillor Nelani or any other accused person.
However, Councillor Nelani’s resignation as Executive Mayor cannot be used as a political escape hatch. It is now clear that he remains a councillor in the KSD Council. That raises an even more serious question: what influence does he still hold, what decisions can he still affect, and what further damage could be done if accountability is treated as a mere change of title rather than a serious consequence?
Where allegations involving municipal funds are before the courts, the public is entitled to clarity, vigilance and consequence management. Resigning from the mayoral office cannot be allowed to create the impression that the matter has been dealt with, while the same public representative continues to sit in Council and participate in municipal processes.
Where serious allegations involving municipal funds are before the courts, the public is entitled to clarity about the status and responsibilities of those implicated. Resigning as mayor must not be used to create uncertainty, avoid accountability, or quietly shift a public representative elsewhere while criminal and internal processes are still underway. Public office is not a hiding place. It is a public trust.
This matter was initially reported by the UDM in KSD after concerns were raised regarding the alleged misuse of municipal resources. It was subsequently investigated through the Municipality’s Ad Hoc Committee, which completed its work and submitted its findings to Council.
The resignation of the former Executive Mayor does not erase the allegations, the municipal processes, the criminal proceedings, or the need for consequence management. The people of KSD still deserve full answers about what happened, who was involved, how municipal controls failed, and what steps will be taken to recover public money where wrongdoing is proven.
The election of a new Executive Mayor must not become a political reset button. Nkosi Dudumayo must now fix what is broken in KSD and walk the straight and narrow. He must act immediately to restore public confidence, strengthen financial controls, stabilise the municipality, protect public money, and ensure that service delivery is placed above factional politics and political protection.
The UDM in KSD will be on high alert on behalf of the people. We will watch closely to ensure that the new mayor does not preside over business as usual, that the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendations are dealt with lawfully, and that no implicated official or public representative is protected for political reasons.
The UDM in KSD reiterates its call for all implicated municipal officials to be suspended in accordance with applicable labour law and disciplinary processes. Public representatives implicated in this matter should step aside while the criminal and internal processes run their course.
KSD residents need a municipality that delivers services, protects public money, appoints competent people, and acts against corruption without fear or favour. They do not need another round of ANC damage control, internal deals and redeployments.
The UDM in KSD will continue to exercise oversight in Council and will continue to insist that this matter is followed through to its lawful conclusion. The people of KSD deserve ethical, transparent and accountable leadership. UDM. Consistent. Present. Accountable.
