In what appears to be a reversal of the decision of former KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary, Bheki Mtolo, the new ANC provincial leadership is set to re-appoint former KwaDukuza Local Municipality mayor Lindiwe Nhaca.

She was unceremoniously kicked out of her mayoral position in November last year by Mtolo who replaced her with the ousted Ali Ngidi through a vote of no confidence after she defied Mtolo’s orders to voluntarily resign.

To a surprise move, Nhaca’s name was forwarded to the provincial’s deployment committee alongside former Ilembe district Municipality mayor Siduduzo Gumede and current KwaDukuza Speaker Dolly Govender to choose the mayor from them. This was confirmed by the regional task team coordinator Nkosenhle Mngadi on Wednesday.

Mngadi said the regional working committee of his task team met on Monday and recommended the three names to the provincial deployment committee to select the mayor from the three names.

“Yes it is true, comrade Lindi Nhaca’s name is amongst the three names we have sent to the province so we are waiting for the deployment team to give us the name of the comrade we are going to deploy as the mayoral candidate,” said Mngadi.

On whether the current mayor has tendered his resignation or not, Mngadi said he had learned from the Speaker’s office that a letter from Ngidi had been submitted which he believed was resignation letter, however, Speaker refused to confirm whether the mayor has resigned or not, referring all the queries back to the party leadership.

There are fears that the municipality could be thrown into turmoil if Ngidi continues to defy the party.

Attempts to get Ngidi and other named candidates were unsuccessful

According to ANC sources within the region, when the provincial task team coordinator, Mike Mabuyakhulu, announced the removal of Ngidi and his deputy, Njabulo Cele, he gave them two weeks to submit their letters of resignation to the Speaker.

However, Ngidi is said to have continued to defy the party while Cele complied. The source said if Ngidi continues to defy the party orders, the party will have no option but to file for a vote of no confidence to remove him. This may result in disciplinary action against him for defiance.

Govender had previously told the Independent Media that she had been instructed by the ANC provincial leadership to ensure that by July 25, the mayor and his deputy would have been elected, however, it is unclear whether that would still happen on Friday which is the deadline. To meet Friday’s deadline, the Speaker will have to call a special council meeting, which requires 48 hours’ notice. 

In terms of the municipal process, the Speaker has to issue the notice of the ordinary council meeting before seven days which means the notices to the councillors must be sent on Friday and followed by the agenda. 

On July 2,  ANC provincial task team coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu summoned the party caucus, where he presented the report and the recommendations of the team that the party had appointed in April to investigate the reported abuse of privileges by both Ngidi and Cele. 

Besides removing the pair from their positions, the ANC also ordered them to pay back the money they splurged on luxury vehicles since assuming office in November without council approval. The report that was presented to council in April showed that from November to February the mayor had spent R497,180.10 while his deputy had spent R527,720.13 which meant the municipality was paying R17,590 on the vehicle hire.

Furthermore, the ANC ordered Ngidi to pay for the fuel use of the mayoral car which was used to transport his family, particularly his children to school. 

Ngidi will also have to pay for the security firm that guarded his home which was also not approved by the council. It was reported that the Durban-based security company was billing the municipality R173,000 for eight guards that were stationed at the mayor’s house day and night. It is not clear for how long the company had guarded his home.

willem.phungula@inl.co.za

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