Disruption mars KwaDukuza council’s deputy mayor election meeting

A KwaDukuza council meeting to elect the municipality’s deputy mayor took an unexpected turn today as an enraged group disrupted proceedings.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) attributed the chaos to internal factions within the African National Congress (ANC), an assertion rebuffed by ANC chief whip, Humphrey Mbatha.

Refraining from delving into specifics, Mbatha said about 100 people entered the KwaDukuza Town Hall where the meeting was held.

He said among the group were individuals who identified themselves as local business people expressing frustration over perceived neglect of their complaints.

KwaDukuza has been without a deputy mayor since the death of Thulani Ntuli in March this year.

Ntuli (49), who also held the position of ANC regional treasurer, died after collapsing on Chief Albert Luthuli Street just outside the KwaDukuza municipal building.

Expressing his disappointment about the incident, KwaDukuza municipal manager Nhlanhla Mdakane highlighted the intervention of the police.

“The South African Police Services instructed the crowd to vacate the hall to allow the meeting to proceed. Gathering along the parameters of the hall the protesters became unruly which prevented the council from continuing with its business. The KwaDukuza municipality reserves its right to not comment further on this matter as the issue or issues are not clear at this point,” said Mdakane.

KwaDukuza DA caucus leader, Tammy Colley, said her party previously tabled a motion proposing the position of deputy mayor remain vacant and that the cost savings be used for the delivery of basic services to the people.