Opposition parties demand swift resolution to KwaDukuza’s leadership vacuum
The ANC has barred Nhaca from all party meetings as opposition and community weigh in on the municipal leadership crisis.
KwaDukuza mayor Lindile Nhaca has been suspended by the ANC for defying party decisions, leaving the municipality’s leadership in limbo.
Nhaca has been barred from attending any ANC meetings, including municipal caucus and council meetings, and from holding community meetings in her capacity as an ANC representative.
While the provincial ANC referred to her as “former mayor” in a statement confirming Nhaca’s suspension on Saturday, no formal recall notice has been sent to the KwaDukuza municipality (KDM), according to spokesperson Sifiso Zulu.
“The ANC will have to inform the municipal manager who, subsequently, will have to advise the IEC. The ANC will also have to supplement its list before a declaration of the seat,” said Zulu.
A municipal mayor is also a councillor, so a replacement councillor would have to be named by the party in the case of their removal. For the mayoral seat itself, council would elect a replacement based on decisions made in party caucuses.
The suspension announcement drew a varied response from opposition parties and ratepayer associations in KwaDukuza.
Democratic Alliance caucus whip, Privi Makhan, said the DA would request a special council meeting to deal with the leadership vacuum.
“The current status quo in the KwaDukuza council is that there is no mayor or deputy mayor [the deputy mayor’s seat has been open since Thulani Ntuli’s death last March]. Section 53 of the Structures Act clearly determines the roles and responsibilities of political office bearers. In addition to these responsibilities, there are various legislative and compliance matters delegated to the mayor,” said Makhan.
ActionSA councillor Sipho Zungu praised the decision.
“Under the mediocre leadership of Lindi Nhaca, service delivery in KwaDukuza significantly deteriorated. It was precisely because of this downward spiral in service delivery and governance that ActionSA, in 2022, tabled a motion of no confidence against the mayor,” said Zungu.
Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Doccra) chairman, Deon Viljoen, said he hoped the situation would soon be resolved.
“Docrra is pleased that resolving the infighting and impasse within the majority party of the KDM council is finally gaining momentum with the withdrawal of mayor Nhaca,” he said.
“We trust that this development will pave the way for a swift confirmation of a new executive team and improved governance.
“The recent leadership vacuum and lack of oversight on the administration team at KDM have been a significant concern for the Dolphin Coast community, and we’re hopeful that this progress will bring much needed stability and direction.”
Neither the mayor’s office or Nhaca herself responded to a request for comment. The regional ANC and KwaDukuza ANC whip were both unreachable by phone.
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