CONFLICTING reports have it that Mtubatuba Mayor Qhina Mkhwanazi has been demoted – but the IFP strongman insists he is still firmly in control.
On Monday the IFP’s Political Oversight Committee (POC) announced that Mkhwanazi has been removed from this position as mayor, but will remain as an ordinary Councillor.
‘This is not a train smash. It is not a suspension of the mayor and his deputy.
It is simply a reshuffle. The party felt that a reshuffle was in order,’ said POC Chairperson Mfanje Mbango.
He insisted Mkhwanazi had not been fired. ‘When a soccer player is not found to be playing according to the rules and regulations, the team manager replaces him,’ he said.
Mbango said Mkhwanazi will be replaced by Cllr MV Gumede, who was previously Deputy Mayor of Hlabisa Municipality, while Dr Nkosinathi Mlambo would be the new Deputy Mayor.
Contacted for comment, tough talking Mkhwanazi said he knew nothing about his axing, adding that he was still discharging his duties as Mtubatuba’s number one citizen.
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‘The time for talking is over. There is a lot of work to be done here.
‘I have channelled all my energies to ensuring the implementation of practical and firm action plans to steer this town to functionality and prosperity.
‘Mtuba has for long been considered a non-functioning entity, placed under administration twice and even dissolved at some stage.’
The 57-year-old Mkhwanazi said it was business as usual at the municipality as far as he was concerned.
‘I’m still committed to rid this town of all its rotten elements and make it attractive to the commercial and tourism sectors.
‘Chosen by the voters to serve them, I appeal to all residents to join me in making Mtubatuba a beautiful town.’.
A veteran police and private investigator and ward Councillor for 11 years, Mkhwanazi insisted he was still equal to the task at hand.
He came to power after the 2016 local government elections thanks to a coalition agreement with the DA and the EFF, and was faced with the difficult task of uniting a council once rendered ineffective by deep-rooted rivalries and scandals.
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