The Executive Mayor of Jozini Local Municipality, Nkosinathi Myeni, has outlined efforts to stabilise local governance amid significant financial irregularities and persistent cross-border crime affecting the KwaZulu-Natal community bordered by Mozambique and Eswatini.
According to the Auditor General’s report for the 2023/2024 financial year, the municipality recorded fruitless and wasteful expenditure exceeding R14 million, alongside irregular expenditure surpassing R140 million. Mayor Myeni acknowledged these challenges, stating that when he assumed office in May 2022, the municipality faced critical issues including unpaid salaries for staff and councillors, and abandoned infrastructure projects.
“We have managed to pay the salaries for staff and councillors and we have managed to bring back all contractors that went off site to finish the projects,” Mayor Myeni reported. He detailed cost containment measures implemented across the municipality, including the suspension of travel claims, unnecessary events, hotel accommodations, and catering services. The municipality has also shifted to using community halls for meetings to reduce expenses.
Revenue enhancement initiatives have yielded results, with the municipality recovering approximately R16 million from the Public Works department, which had owed R21 million. Additionally, separate bank accounts have been established for government grants and salary payments to ensure funds are used appropriately and projects are completed.
On service delivery, Mayor Myeni clarified that water provision falls under the district municipality’s function, though Jozini maintains two water tanks to assist communities during emergencies. Regarding road infrastructure, the municipality faced severe damage during December floods that washed away roads and bridges. Using locally hired contractors with heavy machinery, priority roads were repaired between January and March without provincial or national assistance, with maintenance efforts continuing from July onwards.
Cross-border crime remains a pressing concern. Mayor Myeni confirmed there is no physical fence along the borders with Mozambique and Eswatini, allowing unrestricted movement. “If someone wants to get into Mozambique, he walks and gets in. If someone comes from Mozambique to South Africa, he can do that in a minute,” he stated. The Mayor has requested national government intervention to complete a previously initiated border wall project.
Following correspondence with the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, law enforcement received drone support for border patrols, which Mayor Myeni credited with reducing vehicle hijackings in the area. However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges with organised criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, smuggling, and illegal immigration, noting that perpetrators often escape across the porous border.
Addressing audit findings, Mayor Myeni confirmed the municipality received an unqualified audit opinion for 2023/2024, though with findings requiring attention, particularly around supply chain management and tender awards. A committee has been established to investigate irregular expenditure, including cases where tenders were allegedly awarded to family members or associates without proper declaration.
The Mayor also responded to allegations circulating on social media regarding misuse of funds. Concerning a reported R2 million irregularity, he explained the funds were allocated for 200 sports kits for youth programmes, with equipment stored for planned June games. Regarding a R6 million allegation linked to the a bridge project, Mayor Myeni stated the bridge, located on a provincial road, received R13 million in disaster funding from COGTA, with an additional R7.6 million recently approved. Construction is ongoing with auditor oversight, though the total estimated cost of R36 million exceeds current available funding.
With local government elections approaching in November, Mayor Myeni emphasised the municipality’s focus on continued service delivery improvements, financial accountability, and collaborative security interventions to address the complex challenges facing Jozini residents.