Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus leader Ross Strachan has accused members of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party of playing a role in the collapse of the Msunduzi Municipality, while also calling for an investigation into Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla over allegations of financial mismanagement.
Allegations Against the Mayor
Strachan claimed that Thebolla misused municipal funds, including an irregular R27 million sponsorship deal with former Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Royal AM. He further accused the mayor of awarding irregular tenders, abusing power, and making unilateral decisions that have worsened the municipality’s financial crisis.
The allegations surfaced after a suspended city manager took the mayor to court, alleging procedural irregularities in his suspension. According to Strachan, the city manager’s court documents revealed extensive financial misconduct by Thebolla, which the DA has been pushing to investigate.
MK Party’s Role in Municipal Dysfunction
Strachan also criticized the MK Party, stating that some of its members were previously part of the ANC-led administration that oversaw the municipality’s decline.
“The very same MK leaders here in Msunduzi were part of the collapse when they were part of the ANC,” Strachan said, calling their criticism of the current dysfunction “ironic.”
Service Delivery Collapse
The DA leader highlighted the dire state of service delivery in Msunduzi, citing water shortages in areas like Bulwer, where residents have reportedly gone without water for eight years. He questioned the logic of spending millions on a soccer team sponsorship while failing to provide basic services.
“How do you weigh up—would you rather have water or a soccer team coming into the city where we’re paying a billionaire?” Strachan asked.
Calls for Urgent Investigations
Strachan urged the KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance MEC and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to expedite forensic investigations into the municipality’s finances.
“Msunduzi is on a very flimsy string, and it needs to happen very soon before there’s nothing left,” he warned.
ANC’s Internal Turmoil
Despite expecting Thebolla to be removed by the ANC amid reported internal reshuffles, Strachan insisted that the mayor must still face accountability.
“No one is immune to investigation. Even if he is on his way out, he must be charged if the allegations are substantiated,” he said.
Corruption Crackdown
Strachan referenced the recent 10-year jail sentence of a municipal employee, Paul Wiseman, for corruption, calling it just “one example” of many cases that need exposure.
The DA vowed to continue pushing for accountability, positioning itself as the only party with a “proven track record” to rescue the municipality.
ANC and Coalition Partners Under Fire
Strachan also took aim at the IFP, PA, and EFF for voting against the DA’s motion to investigate the mayor, accusing them of protecting the ANC-led administration.
As Msunduzi’s financial and administrative crisis deepens, pressure mounts on provincial authorities to intervene before the municipality collapses entirely.
