Following the alleged sex-for-jobs scandal that recently rocked Ladysmith and various social media platforms, Mayor of Alfred Duma Local Municipality, Zama Sibisi, told The Ladysmith Herald that Ward 20 Councillor, Abbas Warasally, is back at work and is “providing much-needed public service to the community”.
“Cllr Warasally has not been arrested for any crime and according to this municipality and Cooperative Governance Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Cllr Warasally must continue his duties,” said Mayor Sibisi, adding that the demand for Cllr Warasally’s resignation made by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has been withdrawn until further investigations are done to prove that the councillor is indeed guilty of a crime, such as rape.
“However, there is evidence in the form of affidavits signed by the two women who claimed that they were raped. The women have said that they were pressured by Warasally’s political opposition. This is all about political pressure from other opposition parties,” claimed the Mayor.
Mayor Sibisi said that what is really concerning is that one of the parties who called for Cllr Warasally to step down, has a councillor within their ranks who has already appeared twice in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court on charges of attempted murder, but it seems that nothing is being said about this.
Mike Suddaby, Democratic Alliance (DA) Alfred Duma Caucus Leader, has lashed out against the alleged misconduct of Cllr Warasally, who has challenged his party’s suspension and remains an active councillor. “In late February this year, the IFP had publicly stated that they consider the matter to be of a very serious nature, and as such, had suspended the said councillor from the party with immediate effect and directed him to take leave as a councillor.
“The NEC of the IFP had promised swift action by convening a special meeting to investigate the sex-for-jobs case. It is now some six weeks later and he is still an active councillor,” said Suddaby, adding that the right thing for Cllr Warasally to do is resign.
Astoundingly, despite the DA petitioning the Municipal Speaker, Councillor Sithole, to convene a special meeting of the Rules Committee in early March in order to initiate an investigation into the ‘sex-for-jobs’ allegations against the councillor, to date, no such investigation has been initiated.
“Seemingly, the IFP in Alfred Duma Municipality do not view the sex-for-jobs scandal in the same serious light that the DA does,” said Suddaby, adding that the recordings purported to be of the councillor and a female employee of the municipality is a disgrace.
“These allegations have done great reputational damage to the municipality, which needs to take urgent and robust action to ensure that he faces the consequences of his alleged actions. There is no place on the Council for any councillor who has abused their position as a councillor to achieve personal gratification or enrichment.
“The DA urges the IFP to do the right thing for the people of Ward 20 and the community of Alfred Duma Local Municipality and ensure that Councillor Abbas Warasally is removed as a councillor,” concluded Subbay.
Mayor Sibisi said that he is thankful for the DA. “They are an opposition party and should make noise, it is this noise that keeps us, the current leaders, working harder to serve for a better and greater Ladysmith.”
Mayor Sibisi also urged the Ward 20 community to continue working with their councillor.
“I would like to remind the community of Ward 20 that Cllr Abbas Warasally was the person they voted for due to his hands-on approach and willingness to assist the community. When it comes to service delivery for the community, Cllr Warasally is one of the municipality’s top councillors,” concluded the Mayor.
