The eThekwini Municipality has dismissed seven officials found guilty of misconduct relating to the theft of diesel. The action reaffirms the City’s zero-tolerance stance on the abuse of public resources.
The dismissals took place between October 2025 and September 2026, with four officials dismissed in August 2026 alone. Among those dismissed were two officials found to have used fabricated requisitions to draw fuel from the municipality’s internal filling stations for more than a year. The losses to the City run into millions of rand.
City Manager Musa Mbhele said the dismissals reflected the municipality’s commitment to clean governance and the protection of public resources.
He said: “The resources of this City belong to the people of eThekwini and must be used solely for service delivery. The administration will act firmly against any official who abuses the trust placed in them, regardless of rank or position. We remain committed to building an ethical, accountable and capable institution in which residents can have confidence.”
City Integrity and Investigations Director Jimmy Ngcobo said disciplinary proceedings were under way against several other employees. Matters under investigation include the alleged theft of asphalt, vehicle parts and stationery, the alleged illegal sale of refuse bags and the alleged unauthorised use of municipal vehicles.
Ngcobo said: “Every rand lost to theft is a rand diverted from service delivery to our residents. Sanctions will be proportionate to the offence, and disciplinary processes will be applied firmly, fairly and consistently as a deterrent.”
The municipality thanks residents who have reported wrongdoing and calls on organised labour, business and civil society to partner with the City in strengthening ethical conduct across the public service.
Residents can report fraud and corruption via the toll-free hotline on 0800 20 20 20 or by email to ombuds@durban.gov.za.
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