DURBAN - FOLLOWING the sudden resignation of the current uMhlathuze Municipality mayor, councillor Dr Nkonzoyakhe Donda, the IFP announced that Donda had been approved as a caretaker mayor, and the decision was communicated to him before he took office.
IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said on November 22, the IFP NEC approved the recommendations of the national deployment committee (NDC) regarding the deployment of office-bearers in councils, following the local government elections.
He said in uMhlathuze, MP Xolani Ngwezi was approved as mayor.
“As his name was not on the PR (proportional representation) list and because the IEC’s rules do not allow for changes to lists during the period of constituting municipal councils … Dr Nkonzoyakhe Donda was approved as caretaker mayor. This decision was communicated to Dr Donda by the NDC before he took office.”
He added that the party was now able to amend its PR list.
“The NEC resolved on Monday, December 6, 2021, to implement its November 22, 2021 decision that Hon Ngwezi, MP, be redeployed from the NCOP (National Council of Provinces), to be the mayor of UMhlathuze Local Municipality. Dr Donda has accordingly resigned as mayor, and the party thanks him for holding the fort whilst the party was seized with effecting the necessary changes and amendments to its lists,” Hlengwa said.
He added that Ngwezi was no stranger to local government, as he had previously served on the executive committee of King Cetshwayo District Municipality, before being deployed to the National Assembly in 2017, and the NCOP in 2021.
Ngwezi is currently serving as chairperson of the IFP in its UMhlathuze constituency.
“The IFP wishes Comrade Ngwezi well in his new deployment,” he said.
Donda had been mayor for less than a month prior his resignation.
UMhlathuze Municipality confirmed on Wednesday that Donda had resigned from the executive committee with effect from December 10. Donda’s resignation letter was received by municipal manager Lulamile Mapholoba.
“We have received a resignation letter from councillor Donda and we are processing such according to relevant prescripts and internal procedures. Councillor Donda has only resigned in the executive committee position meaning he relinquishes the mayoral position as of the date stated in his letter.
“We thank him and his wisdom in the period he served as the mayor and wish him well in other positions he holds in council,” Mapholoba said.
Mapholoba stated that a special council sitting is scheduled for Friday to further process this matter.
Donda remains a councillor in uMhlathuze.
Donda, deputy mayor Nkonzo Nkululeko Ngubane from the EFF and the speaker, Tobias Gumede were elected unopposed on November 23, after the ANC staged a walkout.
At that time, municipal spokesperson Mdu Ncalane said councillors who were to serve on the executive committee were also elected from the DA, IFP and EFF.
“The process of completing the executive council will be finalised in the following meeting including the municipal whip. This follows the walkout staged by the ANC,” Ncalane said.
Prior to Donda’s reign, Mduduzi Mhlongo was the city’s mayor.
Umhlathuze has recently been touted as the number one achiever in KwaZulu-Natal after a credible Integrated Development Plan review for the 2021/22 financial year.
The city scored 88.33% in overall credibility, ranking it number one in the province.
DAILY NEWS