Beleaguered Alfred Duma Mayor must step down, otherwise DA will introduce motion of no confidence

11 August 2021

The DA demands that the Mayor of the Alfred Duma Municipality, Vincent Madlala, resign with immediate effect following his alleged involvement in political killings in KwaZulu-Natal and his consequent arrest by the Hawks.

We further call on the ANC to ensure his resignation, failing which the DA will introduce a motion of no confidence against him.

Madlala has for the past few years been linked to the ongoing taxi violence in the area and which resulted in protest action causing the complete closure of the town of Ladysmith, the schools and public transport since March 2020. The protestors were demanding the immediate removal of Madlala as Mayor. This protest action caused an estimated loss of R30m to the economy of the Uthukela district and took place just before the heavy handed Covid-19 lockdown regulations that decimated the whole of South Africa’s economy including the already damaged Ladysmith/Uthukela economy.

Given the long-standing controversy surrounding Madlala, it is astounding that he has refused to resign as Mayor. Despite high level intervention by the ANC provincial executive, on which Madlala apparently serves, no action was taken against him. In March 2020, at the time of the protest, the DA tabled a motion of no confidence which, not surprisingly, was not supported by the ANC councillors who instead chose to place Madlala on a three month paid “sick leave” holiday instead.

Once again the system of cadre deployment has failed South Africans and the community of Alfred Duma in particular as it is the ratepayers who bear the brunt of the staggering amount of R25 million per year for approximately 46 VIP guards to protect ANC councillors and senior municipal staff. An investigation by COGTA in terms of Section 106(1)(b) of the Municipal Systems (Act 32 of 2000) found that the municipal policy for the provision of security to councillors and officials is in conflict with the law and recommended that the Council revise the policy.

Given that Madlala has now been arrested, criminally charged and released on bail of R10 000, the DA insists that he resigns with immediate effect and the ANC to put the Municipality and the people first by ensuring that this happen.

The DA will introduce a motion of no confidence to this effect as well as that he be stripped of the privileges assigned to him as Mayor, including the use of his Municipal luxury vehicle and his excessive VIP protection services.

The DA calls upon all councillors – including those of the ANC – who believe in maintaining the integrity of the Council to support the call for Madlala’s resignationand to support a motion of no confidence, should he fail to resign voluntarily.

Issued by Alf Lees, Uthukela Constituency Head, 11 August 2021