KZN finance MEC warns Okhahlamba against permanent bodyguards and drivers ahead of elections

KZN Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has warned Okhahlamba Local Municipality against permanently appointing bodyguards and drivers for political office-bearers, citing the municipality’s strained finances and the proximity of the local government elections.

Financial concerns behind the warning

Rodgers pointed to the municipality’s approved 2026/27 budget, which shows an operating deficit of R19.2 million. He noted that employee-related costs and councillor remuneration account for 63.7% of the municipality’s operating expenditure, and said the proposed permanent appointments would carry financial and governance implications.

Timing questioned ahead of November elections

In a letter to Okhahlamba Mayor Vikizitha Mlotshwa, Rodgers said the timing of the proposed appointments is also concerning because the local government elections are anticipated during November 2026 and the current political office-bearers’ terms are approaching their end.

He warned that

“Permanent appointments made primarily to service incumbent political office-bearers may result in a situation where a newly constituted Council does not require the services of the same personnel, while the municipality nevertheless remains legally and financially committed to the employment costs associated with those permanent positions,”

and said this could produce an unnecessary duplication of personnel costs if incoming leadership required different support arrangements.

Governance and intervention

Rodgers said such an outcome would not align with the principles of prudent financial management, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. He wrote to the provincial Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi seeking intervention after the municipality reportedly intended to proceed with the appointments despite Rodgers’ warning.

Request to halt finalisation

Rodgers has urged that the municipality not finalise the appointments until its financial, legal and governance concerns have been adequately addressed.

Reporting based on a notice published by IOL.