More than a month after the local government elections, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) has not as yet elected a mayor, deputy mayor and chief whip.
At the first council meeting on November 28, only councillors and the speaker, Zodwa Precious Mzindle were sworn in.
The African National Congress (ANC) then asked that items on the agenda to fill the three posts be postponed to a later date.
Last Friday, at a reconvened meeting, a mayor, deputy mayor and chief whip were meant to be elected, but instead chaos reigned.
It was chaotic outside the RNM offices where members of the ANC protested and blocked councillors from entering the Port Shepstone Civic Centre, where the council meeting was being held.
The civic entre was locked, councillors from other parties were unable to enter, and other officials were prevented from leaving the main offices.
It is believed that the members of the local ANC prefer Sikhumbuzo ‘Zero’ Mqadi as their mayor and had submitted his name to the provincial structures.
Mqadi hails from Gcilima and is described as a very dedicated, humble and a people’s person.
He is said to have served for a long time in the political structures of the ANC on the coast.
However, it seems the province has its own preferred candidate, and the local ANC members are against it.
Some ANC members have been very vocal about the issue and made it clear that they want no one else but Mqadi.
A member of the party who did not want to be named said Mqadi would be suitable for this position because he is trustworthy.
“They want to bring in their own person who they can use to control the municipality. We cannot allow that especially with RNM, we cannot allow this municipality to be run by people who are selfish and not care about the communities of this area,” said the party member.
When the Herald contacted the spokesperson for the ANC in the region, Lindo Mzimela, he disputed this and said it is just internal issues that are being misinterpreted.
“RNM is the economic hub of Ugu district, so this municipality must be well scrutinised when taking decisions since it is the biggest local municipality in Ugu.”
Efforts to get hold of the provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli were in vain as he did not answer his phone.
ANC coordinator Xolani Luthuli said they are trying to meet with the provincial leadership to discuss the challenges and issues they are facing.
“We are having internal issues that we cannot share with the media but I can say that by next week the council meeting for RNM will sit. Another issue that we have is getting the whole leadership to meet with us because we also want the chairperson of the province to be involved.”
Luthuli assured that by next week the long awaited RNM meting will take place and that they should have sorted out everything by then.
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