The Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality, which instituted an independent investigation against its municipal manager, Lungile Ndabeni, after suspending him, is now embroiled in another drama as the man appointed to fill his shoes temporarily has requested to step down from the position.
Mzobanzi Sineke was appointed as acting municipal manager a few months ago.
But on Friday, Sineke wrote to mayor Mbulelo Jara and council speaker Eddie Pula, among others, requesting to be allowed to step down, while citing health reasons coupled with the demands of the job as the reasons for his decision.
In the letter, Sineke wrote: “I wish to respectfully request to be relieved of my responsibilities as acting municipal manager, effective from October 20 2025, due to personal health-related issues that currently require my attention and recovery.
“The office of acting municipal manager carries extensive and time-sensitive responsibilities that require the constant presence of a full-time incumbent who can discharge duties with sound judgment, focus and mental clarity.
“In my current condition, it would not be in the best interest of the municipality for me to continue acting in this capacity as the position demands consistent availability and stability to ensure effective administration and service delivery.”
He said the decision to vacate the caretaker position had not been taken lightly.
“It arises from a sincere recognition of the importance of maintaining both personal wellbeing and institutional effectiveness,” Sineke said.
He also thanked the municipality for having entrusted him with the responsibility.
However, Jara insisted that Sineke was still Mhlontlo’s acting administration boss when quizzed about the letter on Tuesday.
“His resignation would have been presented to the council meeting if it was final. He has, however, communicated his intentions to resign,” he said.
But the UDM in the council argued there was more to his (Sineke’s) decision than met the eye.
In Mhlontlo, rules are not generally followed, people are forced to do what politicians want or they are fired
The party’s long-time serving councillor and fierce critic of the ANC-led council, Zakheni Nondaka, said they believed it could be linked to the pressure that was usually applied by politicians in Mhlontlo to officials to do their bidding.
“As the UDM we are still shocked at the decision because he has been acting as municipal manager for a short period of time.
“They usually work under immense pressure from politicians; to us, the fact that he has just decided to up and leave abruptly says a lot.
“In Mhlontlo, rules are not generally followed, people are forced to do what politicians want or they are fired.
“We have been saying this municipality is in crisis and the only way to save the people of Mhlontlo, [is for] [Cogta] MEC [Zolile] Williams to place the municipality under administration.”
On Monday, it was reported that an independent investigation had recommended the possibility of criminal charges being brought against Ndabeni.
In July, Williams had advised the council to suspend him after he allegedly failed to provide answers to the Cogta investigators.
This, after the MEC visited the local authority where he tabled an investigation report relating to tender irregularities and poor workmanship at three sports fields worth a combined R80m, despite millions of rand already having been spent.
The investigation by Williams’ office followed several allegations made by Mhlontlo councillors against Ndabeni, including that he was abusing municipal resources.
Before that, former Mhlontlo CFO Nandipha Sibobi, who was initially placed on precautionary suspension and later informed of her dismissal via a letter written by Ndabeni on behalf of the council, accused him of overstepping his mark, saying “a CFO cannot be fired by a municipal manager”.
At the time, Nondaka claimed the decision to axe Sibobi was part of ongoing ANC factional battles in the municipality.
Earlier in 2025, another senior manager, Loyiso Yaleza, a former ANC councillor in Mhlontlo, was fired for allegedly having failed to provide a matric certificate when requested to do so by Ndabeni.
Daily Dispatch
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