Prince David and businessman Musa Mthetwa, who bought plots from the Hlatikulu Town Board in 2008, shockingly discovered that the plots they purchased for a combined E132 000 do not appear in the 2024/25 evaluation roll.
The issue emerged yesterday during proceedings of the Commission of Enquiry. According to Prince David and Mthetwa, they purchased plots 333 and 334 from accountant Artwell Dlamini in 2008. Each plot carried a value of E48 000, with Prince David confirming that he still had an outstanding balance of E10 000.
Despite paying for the land, both told the Commission that the plots they believed were theirs were never properly allocated. Prince David disclosed that a portion of his land had been allocated to another individual, leaving him with significantly less land than what he had paid for. Because of this irregular allocation, both he and Mthetwa said they had stopped paying rates for the reduced portions they were left with.
“The town board ended up not giving us the amount of land we paid for,” said Prince David, expressing concern over the disappearance of their plots from official records.
Mthetwa echoed this sentiment, stating that he had fully trusted Artwell Dlamini, whom he believed had the authority to handle land transactions on behalf of the town.
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“I trusted him and the process through which we purchased the land. I did not know we would end up encountering problems like what is happening now. I fully paid for the plot,” said Mthetwa.
Commission Chairperson Zandile Dlamini told the two men that extensive verification was required to determine what transpired. She stressed the importance of following proper procedures when buying land to avoid similar disputes.
The Commission assured both parties that it would investigate the matter and report back once it establishes why the plots are missing from the 2024/25 evaluation roll and what may have happened to the land they paid for.
Double orders, inflated prices revealed
Revelations of double orders, inflated prices, and alleged conflicts of interest dominated yesterday’s proceedings at the Commission of Enquiry probing maladministration within the Hlatikulu Town Council.
The inquiry, held at the Ezulwini Town Board offices, exposed troubling details about procurement practices during the tenure of former Treasurer Sibongile Ndlovu, who appeared before the Commission.
The Commission chaired by Zandile Dlamini, with panelists Gideon Mhlongo, Fikile Dlamini, and Buhle Hlanze, examined council documents indicating duplicated orders for items supplied to the Hlatikulu Town Council. According to the order book, certain items were ordered twice from companies linked to the council’s accountant, Artwell Dlamini.
Among the most concerning discoveries was a double order of printer cartridges valued at E24 000. The cartridges were supplied by PHD, a stationery company serving the council. Records indicated that the same items were ordered twice within a single month.
When questioned, Ndlovu distanced herself from the transaction, claiming she had no prior knowledge of the duplicated entries. Her response raised further questions about her involvement and oversight during her tenure from 2021 until her retirement in June 2024.
Ndlovu told the Commission that she was not often fully engaged in her duties, stating that at times she was called in merely to sign documents.
The Commission expressed concern, particularly after she acknowledged she later learned that PHD and another supplier, Lindz Boutique, responsible for protective clothing, were companies linked to the accountant. This pointed to a potential conflict of interest within the council’s procurement system.
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The Commission also confronted Ndlovu with evidence of inflated prices, including: boxes of pens costing E1 000, toilet paper rolls priced at E11 000, and a dozen A4 diaries purchased for E6 000.
Ndlovu repeatedly insisted that she was unaware of the orders, describing the figures as “new” to her despite approving payments.
Further questioning centered on her decision-making processes and oversight. Ndlovu said Town Clerk Bongani Dlamini often led procurement decisions, and she approved payments based on what he had authorised.
The Commission rejected this explanation, emphasising that as treasurer, she had a duty to scrutinise all financial transactions.
When asked about the council’s tendering procedures, Ndlovu said she had limited knowledge, claiming only that tenders were reviewed annually. The Commission criticised her lack of awareness and failure to question irregularities, suggesting broader governance issues within the council.
