Warning as parties welcome new MEC
OPPOSITION parties in KwaZulu-Natal – the EFF and DA – have welcomed the appointment of ANC veteran Bhekuyise Ntuli as the new Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC.
During the swearing-in, which was conducted by Judge Thoba PoyoDlwati in Pietermaritzburg yesterday morning, Ntuli described himself as a negotiator and peacemaker.
Ntuli replaced Mxolisi Kaunda who was redeployed to be mayor of eThekwini Municipality, the position left vacant after the recall of Zandile Gumede.
Although the EFF commended the appointment, it added a warning that Ntuli should distance the department from crime-fighting vigilante groups.
EFF provincial chairperson Vusi Khoza said Ntuli had enough experience as he had been a chairperson of the Transport, Community Safety and Liaison for years.
“But I am concerned about the department supporting vigilante groups that assault people in the name of fighting crime.
“He needs to distance that department from vigilantism.”
The SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) said it was expecting Ntuli to work ‘hand in glove’ with the taxi industry, which he said was infested with hooligan operators and criminals.
“This makes some taxi owners resort to eliminating others and conquer other associations’ routes.”
Santaco provincial spokesperson Sifiso Shangase said: “We need the new MEC to help us deal with these challenges.”
DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango said Ntuli’s appointment “is one of the important appointments that Sihle has made so far”.
“He appointed someone who has experience since he had worked with the portfolio, and I don’t see anyone who is more capable than Bheki Ntuli in the entire legislature,” said Mncwango.
Ntuli is expected by his party – the ANC – to hit the ground running in upgrading the province’s road infrastructure and to bring stability in the taxi industry.