Press Statement by Nhlonipho Dlamini- DA Councillor in Nkomazi Local Municipality
Nkomazi Local Municipality has been without an MMC for LED for two years.
This has destabilized committee work and economic development all together.
We have written to the Executive Mayor to urgently fill this post.
13 July 2026
Release: Immediate
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Nkomazi has written to the Executive Mayor, Phindile Magagula to urgently fill the vacant role of an MMC for Local Economic Development (LED). For more than two years, the municipality has been without an MMC for LED. The current MMC has been out of office due to illness.
The Executive Mayor initially attempted to chair and oversee the portfolio herself for over 10 months. Portfolio Committee members rejected this arrangement because the Executive Mayor cannot assume the role of a Portfolio Committee Chairperson without a lawful delegation and proper governance processes.
On 22 April 2026, the Executive Mayor announced that the MMC for Finance would oversee the LED portfolio under delegated powers. However, despite this appointment, not a single Portfolio Committee meeting has been convened to exercise oversight, receive departmental reports, or hold officials accountable.
The result is that the LED Department continues to operate without meaningful political oversight, leaving Portfolio Committee members in the dark while important economic development matters proceed without transparency or accountability.
The absence of an MMC and a Portfolio Committee for LED undermines the constitutional principles of accountability, transparency and responsive government. Portfolio Committees exist to monitor departmental performance, scrutinise expenditure and ensure that residents receive effective service delivery. Preventing these committees from meeting weakens Council oversight and erodes public confidence in local government.
With this in mind, we urge the MEC to intervene and ensure that the municipality restores proper governance by ensuring regular oversight meetings are held in accordance with the law and Council processes.
The people of Nkomazi deserve a municipality where departments are accountable to elected representatives, not one where portfolios operate without oversight for months on end.
For media enquiries
Nhlonipho Dlamini
DA Councillor Nkomazi Local Municipality
063 651 0882