Political rift leaves ANC deputy mayor position vacant in KwaDukuza

The political disagreements between the ANC leadership in KwaDukuza over who should be the deputy mayor, has left the position indefinitely vacant.

A source within the party leadership in the region said the party has resolved not to fill the position until after next year’s elections or the new regional leadership will deal with it after the regional conference. The regional leadership had submitted former mayor Lindiwe Nhaca’s name among the three that were selected for the interview, however, factions within the party could not agree to have her as the deputy. Last month, the council only voted for Mayor Sduduzo Gumede with no candidate for deputy mayor on the agenda.

“The deputy mayor matter is off the table. We are hearing that the higher leadership has decided to do it until after elections next year so we are not sure but there are no plans to elect the deputy mayor in the near future,”  said the source.

The regional task team coordinator Nkosenhle Mngadi did not respond to a request for comment.

Nhaca is back in party activities after she was cleared of all six charges she faced under former KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo. 

She was replaced by Ali Ngidi, however, he too did not last long and was removed by the party after courting several controversies, including allegations of abusing official cars and beefing up security at his home at the expense of the taxpayers without a council resolution.

The Deputy Mayor’s position became vacant in July after the ANC ordered Njabulo Cele to resign alongside Ngidi. Cele was accused of abusing the municipality’s resources. 

willem.phungula@inl.co.za