MDUDUZI Mhlongo is the newly elected Speaker for the uMhlathuze Municipality.
The election, undertaken by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), took place on Tuesday evening at a full Council sitting in Richards Bay.
Mhlongo was at the top of the party list for the African National Congress (ANC), with no other nominations forwarded.
A standing ovation by all Councillors greeted his undisputed election.
After his inauguration, Mhlongo said he was well aware of the great responsibility handed over to him.
‘I am aware of the shoes I need to fill. What we have here is the opportunity to continue the good work previously encountered.
‘We must be cognisant of the fact that there is work to be done and it must be carried out in an urgent manner,’ he said.
In a first for the City where an official has moved directly into the top political leadership structure, Mhlongo resigned as uMhlathuze Manager: Public Participation and as Acting Deputy Municipal Manager (DMM) for the Department of Corporate Service on 20 November.
His resignation now results in Council having to appoint a replacement who will act as DMM for a period not exceeding three months. Thereafter a suitable candidate will be appointed. The process is envisaged to be finalised within three months from 1 December.
Mhlongo replaced Councillor Mvuseni Mnqayi, who has moved on to fill the position as KZN Provincial Civilian Secretary in the Office of the MEC for Community Safety and Liaision.
Also newly appointed was Councillor Simphiwe Richard Hlophe, who has replaced Councillor Njabulo Mlaba. Mlaba has moved on to become a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.
Hlophe was at the top of the party list for the National Freedom Party (NFP) and his appointment was effective from 25 November.
Both Councillors were inaugurated by Empangeni Court Magistrate Ntshangase.
