MANDENI, Friday 23 October 2026 — KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has removed ANC councillor Caroline Lungile Mthembu from office with immediate effect following an investigation that found serious breaches of the councillors’ code of conduct.
The decision, announced on Thursday, follows allegations involving a municipal road construction contract and comes less than two weeks before South Africa’s local government elections.
Mthembu represented Ward 11 in the Mandeni Local Municipality.
MEC acts on investigation findings
The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said Buthelezi considered the findings and recommendations of an investigation into Mthembu’s conduct before deciding to remove her.
Department spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said the investigation identified multiple serious breaches of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.
According to the department, Mthembu was given an opportunity to respond to the allegations but did not submit a response.
Buthelezi subsequently exercised his powers under the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act to remove her from office.
The department said the removal took immediate effect.
Alleged R100,000 payment linked to road contract
The investigation followed allegations that emerged in 2025 concerning a contractor awarded a municipal tender to tar a gravel road in Mthembu’s ward.
A recording circulated on social media in which Mthembu allegedly discussed a payment of R100,000 with the contractor.
The allegations prompted questions about whether a councillor had improperly sought money from a company awarded municipal work.
Earlier reporting indicated that Mthembu disputed the characterisation of the payment as a bribe.
Mandeni council Speaker Phindile Sishi previously said Mthembu had maintained that the money was intended for a community programme.
Sishi also said councillors were not authorised to request payments from municipal contractors for community projects.
The provincial department has not publicly released the complete investigation report identifying every breach established against Mthembu.
Provincial government cites accountability
Buthelezi said elected representatives were expected to uphold ethical standards and act in the interests of the communities they served.
He argued that serious misconduct damaged public confidence in municipal institutions.
The MEC said disciplinary action was necessary where misconduct had been established through the appropriate statutory processes.
The decision represents a formal administrative removal from public office.
It does not, by itself, establish that Mthembu has been convicted of bribery or another criminal offence.
No criminal conviction arising from the alleged payment was confirmed in the available reports.
Removal comes ahead of municipal elections
Mandeni is among the KwaZulu-Natal municipalities where political competition has intensified ahead of the 4 November elections.
The ANC has faced growing competition from the MK Party and other political formations in parts of the province.
In November 2025, the MK Party won Mandeni’s Ward 17 from the ANC in a by-election, depriving the ANC of its outright council majority at the time.
Mthembu’s removal concerns a different ward but adds to the municipality’s recent political and administrative changes.
The vacancy also raises questions about representation during the final days of the current municipal term.
Any further electoral or administrative consequences will depend on the applicable vacancy procedures and the composition of the council elected in November.
Further developments
The provincial department has not indicated whether additional administrative or criminal proceedings will follow the investigation.
Mthembu’s removal remains effective unless altered through an applicable legal process.
The decision places renewed attention on councillor accountability, municipal procurement oversight and the standards expected of public representatives seeking office in the coming election.
