ULUNDI, 06 August 2026 – KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has welcomed the Pietermaritzburg High Court judgment declaring the purported Speaker of uPhongolo Municipality and the suspended Municipal Manager, Mr Bethuel Khali, to be in contempt of court.
As part of his commitment to ensuring that municipalities uphold the Rule of Law, MEC Buthelezi approached the High Court seeking contempt proceedings against Mr Khali after he allegedly failed to comply with an earlier court order interdicting him from acting as Municipal Manager pending the finalisation of his disciplinary enquiry.
The Court also found the purported Speaker, Cllr Celiwe Nxumalo-Sibiya, in contempt of court for convening a council meeting despite an earlier court order suspending her appointment as Speaker.
Despite the interdict, Mr Khali continued to interfere in the administration of the municipality by issuing instructions to employees, signing appointment documents and performing other functions reserved for the Municipal Manager. These actions were inconsistent with the legislation governing local government and prompted the MEC to seek the intervention of the Court.
The High Court ordered Mr Khali to comply with the original court order prohibiting him from acting as Municipal Manager. It further ordered that he may not enter the municipal premises without the prior approval of the Mayor or a duly authorised representative. He is also prohibited from issuing instructions to municipal employees, signing documents on behalf of the municipality or transacting on its accounts pending the finalisation of his disciplinary enquiry in accordance with the Local Government: Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers.
In addition, the Court ordered that Mr Khali, Cllr Nxumalo-Sibiya and the councillors who supported the unlawful decisions must personally bear the punitive legal costs, instead of the municipality being liable for those costs.
Welcoming the judgment, MEC Buthelezi said it reaffirmed the principle that no one is above the law.
“Our councillors and municipal officials must understand that municipalities exist to serve communities, not individual interests. This judgment restores order in uPhongolo Municipality and sends a clear message that the abuse of public office and disregard for court orders will not be tolerated.
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