Sunday Independent reports that the stand-off between the embattled Emfuleni Municipality and its suspended Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Andile Dyakala, appears to be taking a financial toll on both parties.
Emfuleni suspended Dyakala last year following allegations of his role in the unlawful extension of contracts of employees in the political office. He also stands accused of unauthorised, wasteful and fruitless expenditure on short-term insurance. Since then, Dyakala and Emfuleni have been battling it out in court. After a back-and-forth with the municipality in court, in April last year, Dyakalafound himself in a tight spot when the case was struck off the roll because it lacked urgency. Moreover, he was ordered to pay legal fees that the municipality incurred from the continuous legal fray. Dyakala has now pleaded with the court to hold off on the sale of his immovable goods attached in order to pay the municipality's legal fees. In his application, Dyakala cited Section 25(2) of the Constitution, which states that every individual has the right to proper shelter. Additionally, he argued in his application that should the sale be executed, it would negatively impact his marriage. In a letter dated 26 May 2022, an attorney for the municipality broke down the costs that Dyakala was liable to settle, which amounted to R508,962. In their founding affidavit, the municipality’s legal team said Dyakala and his legal representatives were not co-operative regarding the matter, thus they had filed an application to compel.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshepiso Tshabalala & Manyane Manyane at Sunday Independent
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