Sibonginkosi Mabika

The city of eThekwini experienced public disruptions that caused enormous inconvenience to the public after the axed Mayor Zandile Gumede was placed on paid leave pending the court’s decision.

During a media briefing on Thursday, 22 August, ANC KwaZulu-Natal Secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli said that the organization expresses serious concerns about an arrogant manifestation of ill-discipline which compromises the image of the party.

“Concerted efforts have been made by some of the ANC members not only to undermine the elected leadership of the organization, but wilfully disregard its image and standing in society,” said Ntuli.

The Provincial Working Committee (PWC) of the ANC in KZN decided to immediately suspend the membership of Mbongi Hlongwa who is the ANC Branch Chairperson from ward 1, Nada Ngcobo, ANC Branch Secretary, alongside eight (8) other members from the eThekwini Region. The suspended members are also ward councillors and PR councillors in the city.

In June after Gumede’s appearance in court, the party’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) decided that she should step down for 30 days to allow the governing party time to finalise an internal investigation into the allegations.

The former Mayor of eThekwini was then given an extended leave after the 30 days leave given had passed. ANC members then took to the streets of the city as they disagreed with the party’s decision.

Ntuli added that, “the conduct of these protests was certainly a variance and therefore inconsistent with the undertaking each of us made, voluntarily, upon joining the African National Congress”.

Furthermore the ANC PWC decided to also immediately suspend four (4) memberships from the Moses Mabhida Region including Sthembiso Nkuna who is the Branch Chairperson.

Ntuli promised that the PWC will continue to closely monitor and improve the capacity of the ANC led institutions to meet the expectations of the public.

Picture: Sibonginkosi Mabika