Long-serving councillor expelled amid voucher misappropriation allegations

A political storm has erupted in eThekwini after the Democratic Alliance (DA) expelled veteran ward councillor, Dolly Munien over allegations that she misappropriated municipal Christmas vouchers intended for senior citizens and acted in the interests of another political party.

The decision, announced by DA provincial chairperson, Dean Macpherson, brings an abrupt end to Munien’s roughly 25-year association with the party.

While the DA insists the expulsion followed a thorough disciplinary process, Munien has strongly denied any wrongdoing and claims she was never afforded a fair opportunity to defend herself.

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In a statement, Macpherson said the party had acted after receiving what it described as credible evidence that Munien had misappropriated Christmas vouchers distributed by the municipality for pensioners.

“The Democratic Alliance confirms that it terminated the membership of Ms Dolly Munien after receiving credible evidence that alleged she has misappropriated Christmas vouchers provided by the municipality for senior citizens,” said Macpherson.

He said the evidence was examined by the party’s disciplinary committee, which gave Munien an opportunity to respond to the allegations and challenge the evidence presented against her.

“She was unable to do so and was found guilty of the charges,” he said. Macpherson added that Munien had also been found to be advancing the agenda of another political party while still a member of the DA.

“The public expects us to hold DA public representatives to a high standard, which Ms Munien had failed to do,” he said.

He added that the party remained focused on securing an outright victory in eThekwini in the upcoming local government elections, saying credible public representatives were essential to improving governance and service delivery.

Munien, however, has rejected both allegations. Responding to claims that she had collaborated with another political party, she said her involvement was linked solely to community matters affecting residents of Flamingo Heights.

“The meeting in question was not a political meeting. It related to problems that residents were experiencing with irregular billing issues. As a ward councillor, it is my responsibility to engage with stakeholders and address concerns affecting the community,” she said.

Addressing the voucher allegations, Munien said the distribution process relied on beneficiary lists submitted by community organisations and that the administration of those lists was handled through an established system.

“Organisations submit names of beneficiaries, those details are processed, and vouchers are allocated accordingly. The information was captured and managed by the administrator,” she said.

Munien also disputed the DA’s findings, claiming that some of the individuals identified as not having received vouchers had subsequently provided affidavits confirming that they had in fact received them.

“There were four people on one of the lists whom the DA claimed never received vouchers. I contacted the organisation involved and asked them to verify the information. They later submitted sworn affidavits confirming that the vouchers had been received,” she said.

She further alleged that she was never granted a formal disciplinary hearing and only became aware of her dismissal through an email correspondence.

According to Munien, she is consulting with her legal representatives and is considering whether to challenge the party’s decision.

“We are still considering our options and seeking legal advice on the way forward,” she said.

Munien also expressed disappointment at what she described as the party’s treatment of her after more than two decades of service.

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“I come from a poor background and would never take from vulnerable people. Throughout my years as a councillor, I have always worked to secure assistance for residents rather than deprive them of support,” she said.

She also claimed that during major crises affecting her community, including the riots and floods, she received little assistance from senior party structures. “I dedicated 25 years of my life to the DA. To have my membership terminated in this manner feels like a slap in the face,” she said.