Race to fill vacant leaders’ positions

ANC tight-lipped about Gumede’s successor

WHILE the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal remains tight-lipped about who will likely replace axed eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede, former deputy mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala is believed to be the front-runner among several names being touted for the position, including those of prominent MECs in the provincial cabinet.

Amid predictions made on the sidelines and Gumede vowing to fight her removal, the party yesterday indicated it was rushing against time to fill vacant positions in the eThekwini and Msunduzi municipalities, as the two cities were currently without leaders.

Provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli said the provincial executive committee would meet today to discuss who would fill the crucial positions.

“We will have our first meeting tomorrow about how we deal with eThekwini and Msunduzi. It would be the beginning of that discussion. It would be a meeting as well that would allow regions to make submissions to concretise vacancies that we are dealing with,” Ntuli said.

He added that the meeting would also give clarity and answers regarding who was to be named the mayor of Harry Gwala, the mayor of Ugu and the deputy mayor of Newcastle, and who would be appointed as the speaker.

Shabalala left the municipality in 2016 together with Gumede’s predecessor, James Nxumalo.

She is now a member of the National Assembly representing KZN.

“I don’t see James Nxumalo coming back to work with the same people who embarrassed him. Maybe Nomvuzo can consider coming back to be mayor, but not James. He was badly treated,” said an ANC member in the region.

With no formal structure of the ANC in the region, it is unknown who will get the positions of eThekwini’s deputy mayor, speaker, chief whip and the chairs of the respective committees.

Opposition parties in want the dysfunctional municipalities to be placed under administration, and a by-election to be held.

DA caucus leader in eThekwini Nicole Graham said now that Gumede was gone, they were prepared to work

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| DOCTOR NGCOBO African News Agency (ANA) THERE has been a high police presence outside the city hall and ANC offices in Durban since news broke of the axing of mayor Zandile Gumede. Police are said to be anticipating protest action from Gumede’s supporters.