KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, has advised the uMhlathuze Local Municipality Executive Council to implement stringent measures to improve security and control firearm access within the municipality’s premises.

The MEC’s call follows an incident where two bodyguards responsible for the Mayor and City Manager of uMhlathuze Municipality in Richards Bay died during a shooting at the municipal office two weeks ago.

According to reports, the shooting took place at the municipal office, where the two bodyguards were scheduled to attend a meeting in the office of Deputy City Manager for Community Services, Mathews Oliphant.

Sithole-Moloi convened a meeting with uMhlathuze Municipality’s Executive Council on Tuesday to discuss the recent developments.

During the meeting, uMhlathuze Municipality Mayor, Xolani Ngwezi, and his team provided the MEC with updates on security measures and other necessary steps that have been taken to ensure officials’ sa
fety, and the public within the municipality’s premises.

Sithole-Moloi described the incident as unprecedented and condemned it in the strongest possible terms.

Sithole-Moloi also raised concerns about the state of security within the council and advised the council to implement stringent security measures.

“As the KZN CoGTA, we would like to assure the residents of uMhlathuze Municipality that we are investigating the matter, and stringent measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of councillors, staff, and the community,” Sithole-Moloi said.

Source: South African Government News Agency