Row over Wayile replacement

TENSIONS are brewing in the United Front’s Nelson Mandela Bay structures as branch leaders claim the party’s leadership did not consult them when it replaced former mayor Zanoxolo Wayile with Mkhuseli Mtsila.

UF regional secretary Mtsila took up the party’s lone seat in the metro after Wayile resigned without ever setting foot in the council.

The UF said Wayile was busy with Numsa work and could not attend meetings.

Xolisile Peter, who heads the Uitenhage structure, accused the leadership of taking major decisions without the branches.

“We all worked hard for that seat in the council. We must be consulted. Mtsila was not even No 2 on the PR list.

“That is wrong – they cannot treat the party like a stokvel by taking decisions between themselves,” Peter said.

UF regional chairman Sizwe Foley said all branch leaders were consulted about Mtsila’s appointment.

“We consulted all our branches and the decision was taken by the leadership with all branches represented.

“We have not heard any complaints from members,” he said.

Peter said he had tried several times to meet the regional executive, but without success.

“We asked for a meeting but they are not available,” he said.