Who do you think will make the best mayor?

The Vryheid Herald team has selected six candidates for the mayoral position in AbaQulusi. Read the short bio we have prepared on each candidate, then scroll to the bottom of this article to participate in our poll and tell us who you would like to see as AbaQulusi’s next mayor.

Please note the Vryheid Herald is not responsible for selecting mayoral candidates determining who the mayor is. This poll has been set up only to determine the community’s feelings on the matter.

Cllr Martin Mtshali (IFP: Was mayor since last year’s local government elections until his resignation on April 18)

IFP supporters showed their approval of Cllr Mtshali with thunderous applause and deafening cheering as he made his way to the stage to be gowned and chained during the council inauguration last year. Community leaders had nothing but praise for his abilities. However, Cllr Mtshali’s term as mayor was riddled with controversy from the very beginning. Just after he was elected, the community brought to  the media’s attention the fact that he had a number of skeletons in his closet, including having been found guilty by the Department of Education for misappropriating R400 000 in school fees from Lindumthetho Primary School. No criminal charges were placed, as Cllr Mthshali is appealing the case. Cllr Mtshali’s previous term as mayor ended just as abruptly.

Read more about Cllr Mtshali here: Community has confidence in new mayor

And here: Mayor accused of mismanaging school funds

Cllr Mncedisi (Cyril) Maphisa (IFP: Was cleaner at Vryheid High School last year, now a member of the council’s Executive Committee)

Cllr Maphisa is possibly one of the most politically inexperienced councillors sitting on Exco. His rags to riches story generated a massive public reaction when the IFP put him forward as its mayoral candidate to take over from Cllr Mtshali. Even his own party turned against him, disrupting the council meeting in which he was to be sworn in by throwing eggs, sour milk, water bottles, pepper spray and tear gas at the councillors. It is believed that the Cllr Maphisa is close to former deputy mayor, Lucia Zwane (she resigned last month) and her son, Simangaliso Zwane (a member of the IFP’s National Executive). Rumour has it that Cllr Maphisa, Cllr Zwane and Mr Zwane hope to bring Bongiwe Mnikathi back as municipal manager, an official who failed in her duties to use ratepayers’ money prudently, having spent R90 000 per month for her own personal security.

Read more about Cllr Maphisa here: WATCH: AbaQulusi’s councillors flee chambers screaming, vomiting and terrified

And here:Will Vryheid High’s former cleaner be sworn in as mayor of AbaQulusi today?

Cllr Jerry Sibiya (IFP: Has temporarily assumed the duties of the mayor, has served as deputy mayor of AbaQulusi previously)

Cllr Sibiya has had a falling out with the IFP in the past and seems to have set his aside his differences to serve on the council under the IFP banner once again. Political pundits describe him as a seasoned politician with years of experience, and as a good listener who is able to work with people from all spheres of life. Local politicians have confided that they feel Cllr Sibiya is the IFP’s best option for a mayoral candidate. However, the IFP has not put his name forward for the position as yet. Simangaliso Zwane’s (member of the IFP’s National Executive and son of former deputy mayor, Lucia Zwane) hostility toward Cllr Sibiya is not secret. In fact, Mr Zwane has used his private Facebook page twice to give vent to feelings about Cllr Sibiya.

Read more about Cllr Sibiya here: Jerry Sibiya sworn in as AbaQulusi’s new deputy mayor

And here:  Vryheiders can expect a 6.1% increase in their municipal bill

Cllr Alta de Kock (DA: Ward councillor for ward 9, came up with the ‘Alta’mate plan to restore water in Vryheid)

Cllr de Kock moved to Vryheid from Pongola last year. Even though this is her first time as a councillor, she has nearly eight year’s political experience under her belt, having served at the DA’s operations manager from 2009 till 2016. Her claim to fame in the local media came when she devised a plan to restore the town’s water supply once the drought had ended. While some considered the ‘plan’ racist, saying it was devised to ensure that white residents got water first, others welcomed the fact that something was finally happening to ensure that they would have running water through their taps. Cllr de Kock also exposed rampant fraud in the Technical Services department, with regards to the abuse of petrol cards. The investigations into this matter are ongoing, however, the man believed to have committed the fraud has since resigned from the municipality. She was also instrumental in the formalising for the car guards into an organisation following a violent attack in the CBD.

Read more about Cllr de Kock here: The ‘Alta’mate plan will see Vryheid’s water supply restored from today

And here: WATCH: Municipality finds a way forward for local car guards

Cllr TZ Nkosi (ANC: Ward councillor in Louwsburg, served as advisor to the Mayor of eThekwini)

Not much is known about Cllr Nkosi, who is the mayoral candidate for the ANC. It is believed that he is originally from Louwsburg, but spent some time in Johannesburg before being appointed as an advisor in the office of the mayor at eThekwini municipality. He returned to AbaQulusi recently, and is also involved in traditional affairs in his area. The ANC is confident in his abilities due to his experience in the mayor’s office at a metro municipality.

Harry Heyns (DA member: Former ward councillor for ward 8 and, although now retired, reputedly one of the hardest working councillors AbaQulusi has ever seen) 

Mr Heyns had been a councillor, Deputy Mayor, Mayor and on numerous occasions Exco member since 1988, a servant of Vryheid for a period of 28 years. Harry had been the last Vryheid mayor under the old dispensation; Martin Mtshali was the first under the new. “Even then, it struck me that Harry’s was the voice of reason,” said former editor of the Vryheid Herald, John Carnegie. “There probably is not a man or woman, councillor or municipal employee, who has the overall knowledge about our town that Harry has. He really is, quite honestly, a hero. If there is one person whose consistent dedication to this town is deserving of the “Freedom of the City” when he retires, it’s Harry Heyns.” Harry is still a member of the Hospice committee and is instrumental in organising Vryheid’s annual Vintage Car Show (taking place on June 10). During his 28 years on the council he gave himself wholeheartedly to help residents with any community issues that came to light. No burden was too heavy, no task too menial for this councillor.

Read more about Harry Heyns here: En Passant: Harry – an unsung hero

And here: Farewell to Harry Heyns

NOW, TELL US WHO YOU THINK SHOULD BE MAYOR: