NDC confirms mayor’s expulsion

TSOLWANA mayor Khaya Nqiqhi has confirmed receipt of a letter informing him that his appeal to the ANC's national disciplinary committee (NDC) on his expulsion from the party has been rejected.

The Rep reported (“ANC suspends mayor Nqiqhi” April 17 2015) that provincial executive committee member responsible for the Chris Hani district, William Ngozi, confirmed Nqiqhi's suspension and called on him not to represent the party on any platform.

In August 2014, The Rep reported that provincial secre- tary Oscar Mabuyane reported major reshuffles of the troika of local governments of some areas in the Chris Hani district, including Tsolwana. Nqiqhi was then asked to step down but he declined to do so, claiming that he had the support of the party’s branches.

Nqiqhi was subsequently expelled from the ANC for disobeying the party and appealed soon thereafter. The NDC has, however, upheld the decision.

In a telephonic interview Nqiqhi said, “After I received the letter, I decided to use another platform to appeal the decision. I wrote to the ANC's national disciplinary commit- tee of appeals (NDCA), chaired by Jeff Radebe. I am still waiting for their decision,” he said, adding that the situation in Tsolwana was calm with no disruptions to the operation of the municipality.

ANC Chris Hani regional secretary Lusanda Sizani said the disciplinary hearing was between the person involved and the NDC chaired by Derek Hanekom.

Sizani said the letter confirmed Nqiqhi's expulsion. “We are communicating it through the structures of the ANC. I confirm that he received the letter and I am called by his branch to explain what will happen in future.”