Lolo Madonsela
The ANC has been vocal about its desire to take over AbaQulusi Local Municipality from the IFP leadership.
However, Council may see a turn of events following an alleged recent agreement between the ANC and IFP in Gauteng.
According to an article in the national media last week, the ANC had ‘struck a deal with the IFP’ and had agreed to vote for Geoff Makhubo (for the Johannesburg Mayoral post).
The article also alleged one of the IFP’s demands was the ‘guarantee of a municipality in KZN and two departments in Johannesburg’.
The municipality named in this regard is alleged to be AbaQulusi Local Municipality.
The ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary, Zakhele Buthelezi told the media in August this year the party wanted to take over the running of the municipality and to ‘fix the mess by hiring the rightfully qualified people to stabilise the municipality’.
When approached for comment on the latest alleged developments, Buthelezi said only, “Nothing has changed. We still submit that we are not satisfied with its [AbaQulusi Municipality] management, especially the political leadership; we are not happy”.
The Provincial Spokesperson for the ANC, Ricardo Mthembu confirmed there had been ‘engagements between the ANC and the IFP’ but stated nothing had yet been agreed upon.
“There are talks with the IFP on how we can work together, including the matter that the IFP might want to come back to the ANC. However, nothing has been agreed upon as the engagements are still ongoing. We feel the IFP is wasting time by working with parties like the DA, who do not represent what we both represent.
“Even though the character of both parties is not the same, but we are working on the same constituency and on whatever may improve the lives of our people. So nothing concrete for now, but the engagements are ongoing,” said Mthembu.
When contacted for the comment, Provincial Chairperson of the IFP, Blessed Gwala said: “Whoever told you that, should have told you who to speak to, because I know nothing about this”.
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