Councillors want to oust the mayor

According to sources, ANC councillors have moved for a vote of no confidence in the mayor of Newcastle, Afzul Rehman.

Circumstances surrounding the move are murky, however, sources confirmed that a vote to have Cllr Rehman removed from the mayoral seat recently, failed. Allegedly, political camps are now divided, with the ANC struggling to find equilibrium within its own ranks.

Ward councillor for Ward 15, Shirley Matthews, is rumoured to have spoken out strongly against the move, as she has reportedly been promised the Amajuba District mayoral seat by officials higher up in the ANC hierarchy.

Rumours are flying surrounding the sudden move and the reasoning behind it. Apparently, Cllr Rehman has been earmarked for the position of the MEC of Tourism in KwaZulu-Natal, however, questions are being asked whether this attempted vote of no confidence will affect his political career.

Speculation surrounding a replacement candidate will see ANC councillors vying for the position. For now, it would seem that the vote has failed, and Cllr Rehman will continue the mayoral duties.

While he denies any knowledge of such a vote ever taking place, Cllr Rehman has referred queries to the ANC regional chairperson, Arthur Zwane.

“We did hear that some people tried something like this. We do not really know why, but I think that personal interests played a bigger role than political ambition,” said Mr Zwane. “The ANC does not tolerate ill-discipline among councillors, and the regional offices will be investigating this matter.”

He explained there was an official channel for complaints of this nature.

“Of course, if the issues that are brought forward are found to be substantial, we will contact the provincial office for further investigation,” he said. “We would like to make it clear to the residents of Newcastle that we have every confidence in Cllr Rehman. His work speaks for itself.”