UNCOOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE: Armed guards deployed to bar suspended city manager from entering NMB premises

Armed guards were posted at City Hall in Gqeberha to prevent suspended city manager Noxolo Nqwazi from entering the building. The guards were part of a security measure following a disciplinary ruling that allowed Nqwazi to return to work. Acting city manager Lonwabo Ngoqo ordered senior management to prevent any communication with Nqwazi, the media, or external stakeholders.

According to an internal memorandum, the municipality rejected the disciplinary committee's ruling and did not accept Nqwazi's return to duty. Ngoqo instructed staff that Nqwazi should not assume she is entitled to report for duty or access municipal premises until the municipality makes a final decision. The disciplinary committee found that the municipality had failed to follow key requirements in bringing Nqwazi before a hearing, but it did not make a finding on the merits of the allegations of misconduct.

Nqwazi has been on precautionary suspension for nearly three years and has accrued millions of rands in salary for allegedly breaching the Municipal Finance Management Act and Municipal Systems Act.