Council abnormal - MEC

EASTERN Cape MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Fikile Xasa has declared Mnquma municipality dysfunctional.

This as infighting between two rival ANC factions continues unabated in the troubled municipality.

Xasa further believes the endless court battles between the warring parties is a waste of service delivery money. And he wants this to stop immediately.

This was said by Xasa’s spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam yesterday following the MEC’s second visit to Mnquma since the infighting broke out last year.

Xasa returned to the battlefield that Mnquma has become after the fight did not just end in the council chamber last week but went outside to the streets.

Ngam said his boss was of the view that nothing could be as abnormal as having double parking in senior positions of the mayor and municipal manager as was the case at Mnquma.

This after a new troika comprising new mayor Tobakazi Ntanga, speaker Zenzile Gade and chief whip Ncumisa Tandaphi was elected by the majority of the council last week Tuesday.

The ousted troika of Thobeka Bikitsha as mayor, speaker Zibuthe Mnqwazi and chief whip Zakhele Mkiva went to court to challenge their removal.

“The visit by the MEC is meant to try to meet all parties involved in the Mnquma impasse,” said Ngam.

“He is however disappointed that he had to come back so soon after no stability was restored following his visit last October.

“In this regard, he believes that his presence here will assist in the restoration of stability.”

Ngam could not say what Xasa was planning to do next after hearing all sides.

And neither was he willing to divulge the timeframe set for the MEC’s intervention mission to reach completion.

“Department officials will be looking at options of how best the MEC can give support and intervene in this municipality,” he said.

“However, as much as we want to see stability as soon as yesterday, we cannot underestimate the complexity of the issues confronting Mnquma.

“He is disappointed that he had to come back so soon after no stability was restored