The Musina Municipal Council accepted the resignation of its suspended municipal manager, Mr Abram Luruli, during a special meeting last Thursday (6 September).

Luruli served the Musina Municipality for the past 14 years, occupying different positions, ranging from mayor to municipal manager.

The council also decided that disciplinary proceedings against Luruli were to be withdrawn, on the grounds that he had resigned. Luruli resigned five days after he had been served with charges for a disciplinary hearing by the council. The disciplinary hearing was scheduled for 6 September.

Luruli was suspended with full pay in December last year, after he had absconded from work for four months without permission from the council. At the time he was suspended, it was revealed that Luruli had taken leave from 1 April 2011 and was supposed to have returned to work on 1 June, but he failed to do so. He only reported for work on 11 November 2011.

According to the head of communications of the Musina Local Municipality, Mr Wilson Dzebu, Luruli was also suspended pending investigations into charges relating to gross financial mismanagement. During the meeting of the council, it was resolved that, should any law enforcement agency institute any action against Luruli in future and money needed to be recovered, he would be personally liable for his actions.

Dzebu conveyed gratitude to Luruli and thanked him for his contributions during his stay at Musina Municipality. “Council also wishes Luruli the best of luck in his future endeavours.” Dzebu also added that the position of municipal manager would be advertised in due course. Mr Shumani Razwiedani is at present the acting municipal manager of the Musina Municipality.