Zandile Gumede axed as eThekwini mayor by KwaZulu-Natal ANC
Suspended eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede has been officially redeployed by the KwaZulu-Natal ANC provincial executive committee.
One of the worst kept secrets in South African politics in recent weeks came to fruition as the KwaZulu-Natal provincial executive committe (PEC) of the African National Congress resolved to remove Zandile Gumede from her post as mayor of eThekwini.
Following a special meeting of the PEC over the weekend, the ANC leadership in the province decided to redeploy Gumede, along with Msunduzi mayor Themba Njilo and all party members serving on executive committees (Exco) under them.
“All ANC members serving as Exco members at those two municipalities should be redeployed with immediate effect,” provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli said on Tuesday at a press briefing in Durban.
ANC KZN provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli
Zandile Gumede’s troubles with the law
Where they will be redeployed to has not yet been revealed and the positions they vacate will be filled within the next week, according to Ntuli.
Gumede is currently out on R50 000 bail after being arrested on suspicion of being involved in corrupt activities.
Gumede is currently out on R50 000 bail after being arrested on suspisions of being involved in corrupt activities.
Specifically with regards to a R208 million waste management tender from eThekwini, which caused her initial suspension around three months ago.
However, in their investigations the PEC uncovered more than just potential corruption.
Political interference hampering decision making
Based on a report presented to the committee, the eThekwini and Msunduzi municipalities are in desperate need of attention and there were more general problems faced all over the province, including:
- Areas of sanitation in greater Durban and housing
- Political interference in administrative decisions negatively affected service delivery
- Project implementation being compromised by poor decision making and a lack of oversight
- Opposition-led ward councillors were not engaged in a professional manor
- Allegations of fraud and corruption are evident
- Lack of debate or discussion in council and no inclination to change
News leaked early
The decision was hardly news after it had been leaked almost immediately after the PEC deliberations had been concluded over the weekend.
The ANC tried their best to contain news of the decision, however, the jig was up when Njilo revealed he had been deployed just prior to the announcement.
“It was a bad meeting but it wasn’t a long meeting because the PEC officials told us that the work that they have given to us has now come to an end. As from today, they were waiting for letters from leadership to tell us where to go from here,” he said.
Former Msunduzi mayor Themba Njilo
Social media reaction to Gumede axing
Reaction to the news has been fairly split as Gumede still enjoys a strong following in the KwaZulu-Natal despite the accusations of graft.
Her supporters have been causing chaos in the streets of Durban over the length of her suspension and they were no less militant on social media following the revelation she was being axed as eThekwini mayor.
#ZandileGumede yazi lezincethencethe za #ThumaMina they think they're clever. @eNCA #ZandileGumede has majority support in Durban, even if they remove her, sobabamba, they won't even finish this term they're planning. Alibhubhe
— Thabiso Blessing (@ThabisoBles) August 13, 2019
Ak47’s are being polished somewhere in KZN region ?? #ZandileGumede
— Paballo Lowtion???? (@LowtionPaballo) August 13, 2019
Some even made suggestions insinuating this could be the start of something bigger, both for better and worse.
When we talk about #StateCaptureInquiry lets Not forget to call #GcabaFamily from Durban, they've been owning unlimited metro bus tender from the municipality. #ZandileGumede needs to answer.@PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa @ANCKZN pic.twitter.com/FkIUl8MiiK
— Lady of Isphithiphithi (@okaMashaba) August 13, 2019
Brace yourself or House of Cards. KZN will come to a standstill and many will lose their lives. Watch this space #ZandileGumede
— Vhugala Jamila (@NaVhugala) August 13, 2019
No protests, yet
No protest action has been reported yet in Durban, but there is a strong police presence in case Gumede’s make their presence felt in a similar way they did in reaction to the news she had been suspended.
Public Order Policing members already deployed around the Durban City Hall as there is a fear that #ZandileGumede fanatics might rampage the city following @ANCKZN decision to axe the mayor. pic.twitter.com/RrNSRL6TMO
— M'senzos (@Senzo_Mkhizee) August 13, 2019