CITY OF UMHLATHUZE SLAMS WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE AND POLITICAL GIMMICKRY BY KZN PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

MEDIA STATEMENT: CITY OF UMHLATHUZE SLAMS WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE AND POLITICAL GIMMICKRY BY KZN PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT*

*Date: November 28, 2023*

The City of uMhlathuze, under the visionary leadership of the Honourable Mayor Cllr Xolani Ngwezi, vehemently condemns the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government's misuse of public funds and blatant political maneuvering, epitomized by Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and MEC for Human Settlement Sipho "KK" Nkosi.

It has come to our attention that the eMpangeni Mega-Housing project is being shamelessly exploited as a tool for the ANC's political campaign. This project, already launched twice before, is scheduled for yet another launch on Thursday, November 30, 2023. MEC Nkosi's WhatsApp communication to party members reveals a disturbing pattern of using government resources for ANC regional rallies, making a mockery of the genuine needs of the people of the City of uMhlathuze.

Mayor Ngwezi sees the repeated launches of the same project as a means for the provincial government to trivialize the challenges faced by the people of this province. Launching the eMpangeni Mega-Housing project three times is an egregious waste of government resources and a clear indication of the cynical games being played with the dire needs of the community.

Mayor Ngwezi and the leadership of the City of uMhlathuze will not be attending or honouring the invitation to this wasteful event. Instead, Mayor Ngwezi will dedicate his time to meaningful community engagements. On the same day, Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 10:00, Mayor Ngwezi will be officiating the electrification of houses in wards 18 and 22 through the Integrated National Electrification Program (INEP). At 12:00, he will be at the KwaDube Traditional Council Hall in eMabuyeni, handing over LED resources to over 75 small township and rural area businesses.

Mayor Ngwezi urges the residents of uMhlathuze, eMpangeni, and the surrounding areas not to attend this thinly-veiled ANC Regional Rally disguised as a government official event. This event serves no purpose other than to further the political agenda of the ruling party, diverting attention from the substantive issues at hand.

The Mayor remains steadfast in his commitment to the community and will not participate in a political sideshow. Instead, he encourages residents to focus on meaningful community engagements and development initiatives. Mayor Ngwezi calls on the people of uMhlathuze to reject this attempt to exploit their needs for political gain and to stand united against such misuse of public resources.

*Contact:*
City of uMhlathuze Honourable Mayor
Cllr Xolani Ngwezi
076 975 5555