The Witness reports that the suspended Msunduzi municipal manager Lulamile Mapholoba has taken the city to the Labour Court, seeking an interdict stopping the City from going ahead with the suspension.

In his motion at the Labour Court, Mapholoba has also sought to interdict Msunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla, ANC Moses Mabhida regional secretary Samora Ndlovu and the City from taking action against him, including disciplinary action for the purposes of influencing or interfering with the performance of his duties as accounting officer. Other respondents in the matter are ministerial representative Martin Sithole and acting city manager Sabelo Hlela. Mapholoba’s application was accompanied by affidavits from Ross Strachan and Rienus Niemand, DA and ACDP councillors in the Msunduzi executive committee, who claimed that there was no proper compliance with the disciplinary regulations in Mapholoba’s suspension. In his own submission at the Labour Court, Mapholoba has sought to interdict the three respondents from subjecting him to an occupational detriment for reasons related to any report or disclosures that he has made to the municipal council or to any competent authority. The motion is expected to be heard on 30 April. Mapholoba was suspended on 29 February during a council meeting, which he was requested to leave. At the time, the manner in which the matter was handled irked the opposition parties, which questioned the abrupt action without proper processes having been followed.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chris Ndaliso at The Witness
• Read too, City manager’s suspension ruined Msunduzi’s management capacity, at The Witness

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