Coucillors ešchage threats, heated words
AEMPANGENI - The simmering political tensions between ANC and IFP office bearers took an unexpected turn on Friday when they publicly exchanged heated words and threats in front of hundreds of people.
The last time something similar happened was in April 2008 when Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi had a public confrontation with then-traditional affairs MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu. That was after Buthelezi was angered by the ANC-led KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet decision that wanted to force him to take the position of chairperson of the KZN House of Traditional Leaders on a full-time basis.
The latest incident happened on Friday in Empangeni, on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, when the MEC for Human Settlements, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba from the ANC, exchanged threats with councillors of the IFP.
Agreement
That was during an event to sign an implementation agreement with seven municipalities of the province to be able to source funding from Mahlaba’s department and develop their own RDP houses. The event was also combined with the launch of the Empangeni mega catalytic housing project.
IOL understands that prior to the event, the department and the City of
Umhlathuze were fighting over branding rights and other issues. According to witnesses, it all started when Mahlaba was delivering his speech and kept on attributing the project to the ANC instead of the provincial government. That led to Xolani Ngwezi, the IFP Mayor of the City of Umhlathuze (Richards Bay-Empangeni) to chip in and tell Mahlaba that ‘but in 2024 you ANC will be out of power’.
That was in reference to the national and provincial elections next year. It is alleged that statement from Ngwezi annoyed Mahlaba and he said he was not happy that the mayor was interrupting his speech and that was going to make him lose his temper.