Regional ANC rift as factions clash Camps almost come to blows at zone meeting
new city manager.
He had resisted the appointments of Pakati, infrastructure portfolio head Ncedo Kumbaca and Eastern Cape provincial human settlements department head Gaster Sharpley.
Marata claimed his demotion was part of a purge of those aligned to Mkolo, who was suspended by the ANC’s integrity committee last year over his alleged involvement in the Mandela memorial money scandal.
His demotion was top of the agenda at the meeting.
Outside the venue insults between the two factions flew. The two groups continued exchanging strong language until 9pm
The meeting was called by the Mdantsane Zone executive, which is led by Marata as its chairman, with the aim of communicating to the township’s ANC branches, the reasons for his demotion.
While Marata was hoping for sympathy from the township’s branches, the meeting turned out differently, with most of those in attendance insisting the party which had deployed him to council had every right to demote him for placing himself outside a collective decision.
This sentiment has even changed the stance of Marata’s deputy, Phumla Yenana, who supported him at the meeting – but changed her tune when interviewed by the Saturday Dispatch.
The talk of tension between Mkolo and Pakati has been getting louder in ANC circles, allegedly caused by Mkolo’s alleged interference in the municipality’s affairs despite his suspension.
Asked about the allegations, Pakati chuckled saying he could “neither confirm nor deny such claims”.
Mkolo distanced himself from the Mdantsane meeting fiasco and said the beef was between himself and Pakati.
“I have nothing to do with whatever you say was happening in Mdantsane and I will not respond to things I know nothing about.”
Pakati said he was unfazed by calls that he must step aside as mayor.
“I am going nowhere and those calling for my head are wasting their time. I am in this office deployed by the ANC to serve the people of Buffalo City.”
Marata referred questions to his deputy Yenana, who said: “It is the ANC at regional and provincial level that deploys and demotes, not us, so we should not be involved.” — zingisam@dispatch.