DURBAN - THE City of uMhlathuze is expected to take action against its employees who allegedly issued a fraudulent letter authorising the #FreeZuma march.
Municipality spokesperson Mdu Ncalane said the municipal manager, Lulamile Mapholoba, was the only person authorised to grant permission for a march.
“The municipal manager will take action against officials who issued the invalid letter authorising the march to proceed,” he said.
Ncalane said they noted with concern the march action poster making the rounds on social media, claiming it was scheduled to take place around Richards Bay from Alton to Richards Bay Civic Centre on Wednesday.
“We confronted those involved, because no permission was granted or approved for any march due to lack of proper security processes being followed, such as the Municipal Section 4 procedures and/or Section 6 conducted by the SAPS under the Gatherings Act,” he said.
Ncalane said to their surprise the march organisers produced a permission letter that was allegedly signed by some of the municipal officials, without the knowledge of the municipal manager.
“We, therefore, declared the letter invalid because it was signed by unauthorised persons.”
Ncalane said they had to take into consideration the recent looting and violence in the province, including uMhlathuze.
He said they were still working around bringing stability and would not compromise this.
“The municipality holds a considered view that it will be insensitive of the municipality to allow any mass demonstrations, marches or protests in the midst of such an insecure environment after the violent unrest that has taken place.”
He said that while the march may carry a legitimate call, it had nothing to do with the municipality and could not be addressed by the municipality.”
Ncalane said it would be better for the march organisers to address their demands with the relevant departments and its relevant offices.
The municipal manager warned that employees who had participated in the march without any formal leave or prior approval of their supervisor or relevant manager would be dealt with accordingly,” said Ncalane.
He added that they were working hard to resuscitate business confidence after a number of businesses were damaged and millions of rand worth of stock and equipment looted.
ANC secretary of the Musa Dladla Region Tholi Gwala said the region was not part of the march, but that it was organised by the community.
Daily News