Noluthando Mchunu
The Ray Nkonyeni Municipality in southern KwaZulu-Natal has strongly dismissed corruption allegations made by DA Councillor Leon Garbade over the unfinished Zibambeleni Old Age Home in Gamalakhe.
Garbade alleges that the 16-point-6-million-rand upgrade of the facility came to an abrupt halt more than a year ago.
He says what is particularly concerning is that the facility was once a functioning community and care centre, providing food and medical support to vulnerable senior citizens, before falling into neglect.
Garbade is questioning what happened to the funds allocated for the project and why the upgrade has not been completed.
Click below to listen to Garbade’s sentiments…
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Speaker Phumlani Gumbi has rejected the allegations, accusing the DA of attempting to score cheap political points as the country heads to the polls next month.
Gumbi says the claims are baseless and misleading, and insists that the municipality has nothing to hide regarding the project. He says the municipality remains committed to addressing infrastructure challenges and ensuring that facilities intended to serve vulnerable communities are properly utilised.
Watch video below…
The municipality says it will continue to provide clarity on the project and rejects any suggestion that funds were misappropriated.
