KZN’s DA leader in crash after hearing of complaints
IT WAS a difficult weekend for provincial DA leader Sizwe Mchunu, whowas in a car accident on Friday not long after learning that the party was investigating charges against him for breaching internal rules.
Three senior party members said that party provincial leaders had been summoned to attend an emergency meeting at the provincial office in Durban today in which charges against Mchunu would be discussed. “There is a serious situation. Leaders such as Mchunu and Mbali Ntuli are no longer talking to each other,” said an insider.
The Mercury had learnt that the party leader in eThekwini, Zwakele Mncwango, had laid charges against Mchunu with the party’s federal executive chairman, James Selfe.
Selfe confirmed that he had referred the matter to the party’s federal legal commission. “I have received a complaint about alleged infractions of DA policies related to a WhatsApp group. I have referred the matter to the party’s federal legal commission for a preliminary investigation to determine whether any of the party’s policies have been breached,” said Selfe. On Friday, Mchunu was driving near Camperdown when his red Audi was involved in an accident. Details of the accident were still sketchy.
Mncwango confirmed that he had written to Selfe asking him to institute disciplinary action against Mchunu.
“The accident happened immediately after he had learnt that Mncwango had written a letter of complaint to James Selfe against him,” said a source.
The complaints emanated after the formation of a WhatsApp group called “Sizwe Mchunu for Leader”, which allegedly involved senior party leaders. The group was believed to be campaigning for Mchunu to retain his position during the provincial conference, which takes place on April 25. It is alleged that the group had made offensive statements about Mncwango and Ntuli, who is an MPL.
Mncwango was expected to contest against Mchunu to become the provincial leader, while Ntuli was believed to be canvassing to become either the deputy leader or provincial chairwoman.
On Mchunu’s Facebook page, some supporters suggested the accident was the work of witchcraft.
“Bhuti iba strong (my brother be strong), politics of today involves abathakathi (witchcraft),” wrote Sibusiso Thusini. Sandra Naidoo said: “OMG hope you are not hurt… the Bible says ‘ no weapon formed against us shall prosper’.”
The Mercury was unable to reach Mchunu yesterday.