Chwaita Chiefta|Published
Municipal records reviewed by the dailynews.co.za show two IFP councillors missed all 10 eThekwini council meetings between January and September 2026, while questions remain over leave approvals, enforcement and the cost of failed committee meetings.
The investigation examined council attendance registers covering 10 meetings held between January 29 and September 1, 2026, and the municipality’s rules governing councillor attendance, responses from political parties and concerns about the potential impact of absenteeism on municipal decision-making.
IFP PR councillors Edwin Mngadi and Mncedisi Russel Nxumalo were recorded as absent from all 10 meetings.
IFP caucus member Mdu Nkosi confirmed that the party was aware of Mngadi’s absence, and said that he was ill.
However, Nkosi said he was not aware of the reasons for Nxumalo’s absence.
“We are aware that Mngadi has not been well. His wife also informed us but I am not aware of what could be the reasons for Nxumalo’s absence,” said Nkosi.
Both Mngadi and Nxumalo could not be reached for comments.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was also approached for comment regarding the absences of its councillor, Staff Nomvula Gabela. The party had not responded by publication time.
Municipality outlines attendance rules
eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said councillor attendance was regulated by section 4 of Schedule 7 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors, contained in the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, as well as the municipality’s Rules of Order By-law of 2014.
He said the code of conduct required councillors to attend council and committee meetings unless they had been granted a leave of absence in accordance with applicable laws or council rules, or are required to withdraw from a meeting.
Mzila said councillor absences were regulated through applications for leave of absence.
The municipality also confirmed that there was no statutory requirement for councillors recorded as “indisposed” to submit medical certificates or supporting documents.
Asked whether councillors remuneration was affected by absenteeism, Mzila said councillors received monthly allowances rather than salaries.
He said the framework regulating these allowances provided for payment to council members, with payment terminating when a member ceased to be a councillor.
The municipality did not provide a specific breakdown of councillors whose allowances had been affected by absenteeism during the period under investigation.
Dispute over Finance Committee meeting
Questions about councillor attendance have also emerged following a dispute over a Finance Committee meeting scheduled for September 16.
DA Finance Whip and Finance Committee member Thabani Ndlovu denied allegations that the absence of four DA councillors had prevented the meeting from proceeding.
Ndlovu said he was present at the meeting and alleged that seven ANC councillors were absent, significantly affecting the meeting’s ability to proceed as planned.
He said DA councillors were not absent without valid reasons approved by the committee whip and that any councillor who failed to comply would face disciplinary action.
“I would also like to add that a fair assessment on this issue should be measured by a number of meetings, and not just one meeting, as that may not be a true reflection of what is happening.” Ndlovu said.
However, the failure of a committee meeting to proceed can also result in costs to the municipality, including arrangements made for the meeting and catering.
The failure of the Finance Committee meeting to proceed also raised questions about the potential cost to ratepayers.
Screenshots of communications in the committee’s WhatsApp group, received by dailynews.co.za from another party member, showed that the meeting scheduled for September 16 was rescheduled to take place virtually the following day because a quorum was unavailable.
It also indicated that lunch had been served before the scheduled meeting which raises questions on how much had the city spent on failed meetings.
The DA has denied the allegations concerning its councillors’ attendance.
The circumstances surrounding the meeting, including which members were absent and the costs incurred, require further clarification from the municipality.
Parties raise concerns about attendance
On October 2, the DA in eThekwini issued a statement condemning what it described as repeated absenteeism by councillors from smaller political parties.
The statement named the Freedom Front Plus, MK Party, ADEC and MOSA, alleging that none of their councillors attended a final full council meeting. It also alleged that 50% of ActionSA’s councillors were absent.
The DA said councillors had a responsibility to participate in council proceedings, scrutinise municipal decisions and hold the executive accountable.
However, the statement represents the DA’s position on attendance and does not, on its own, establish whether absences by the named parties caused delays to service delivery or municipal decision-making.
The investigation highlights questions about how repeated absences are monitored, how parties account for their representatives and whether the existing rules are sufficient to ensure consistent participation in municipal governance.
For residents, the central issue is whether elected representatives are fulfilling their responsibilities to scrutinise spending, oversee municipal departments and ensure that decisions affecting service delivery are made without unnecessary delays.