The ANC says it is on the verge of appointing a new mayor and deputy mayor in KwaDukuza, with only the green light from secretary-general Fikile Mbalula now awaited.

According to General Gizenga Mpanza Regional Task Team spokesperson Lucky Makhathini, interviews were completed last week and all required processes finalised.

“In the coming days, KwaDukuza council will be advised to sit and elect a new mayor and deputy mayor. This is a crucial step in restoring stability and ensuring service delivery for our people,” he said.

The municipality has been without leadership since early July, when mayor Ali Ngidi and deputy Njabulo Cele were recalled amid scandals involving alleged misuse of municipal funds, luxury vehicle hired, private security costs, and governance failures that paralysed operations.

Their exit came just eight months after Ngidi’s controversial election in November 2024, a tenure also marred by a multimillion-rand embezzlement scandal and strikes.

Names of potential successors, including former iLembe mayor Siduduzo Gumede and former KwaDukuza mayor Lindiwe Nhaca, were previously circulated, but a special council meeting to confirm them was cancelled to allow for proper vetting.

Meanwhile, community voices have expressed growing frustration at the delay.

Dolphin Coast Residents & Ratepayers Association chairperson Deon Viljoen said it was unacceptable that nearly eight weeks after the recall, KwaDukuza remained leaderless.

“This is not the first time that the majority political party has dragged their feet on such appointments, as the same situation occurred when the previous mayor, Lindi Nhaca, was recalled. In the absence of any communication from the PTT or RTT, their deafening silence sends a clear message to residents: leadership, administrative oversight, and service delivery are not the priority,” said Viljoen.

He warned of existential threats to the municipality’s financial sustainability.

Viljoen added that they had written to Cogta, urging intervention and cross-party action to restore leadership and oversight.

“We urge councillors from all parties to get organised, stand together and put an end to this situation,” he said.

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