Umhlathuze denies mayor graft arrest reports
Reports that the mayor of Umhlathuze Local Municipality, Xolani Ngwezi, has been arrested on corruption-related charges have been rubbished.
The north coast municipality has labelled the claims against Ngwezi as false and baseless.
Instead, it says the mayor was alerted by the Richards Bay police on Tuesday that a case of crimen injuria had been opened against him.
According to police, the case relates to alleged defamatory statements Ngwezi made about another person during an interview.
In a statement, the city said the mayor, through his lawyers, has denied all allegations.
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Earlier on Thursday, the ANC in KZN released a statement saying Ngwezi was arrested for corruption.
ANC spokesperson Fanle Sibisi claimed that they heard a leaked voice recording in which Ngwezi was allegedly heard demanding a cut from a contract.
The party urged the IFP to distance itself from allegations that the mayor extorted a municipal service provider.
Ngwezi is expected to appear in court on Friday on the crimen injuria charges.
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