The IFP  has welcomed the decision of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to refuse the request from KwaZulu-Natal COGTA MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, to place the IFP-led Nquthu Municipality under adminstration.

COGTA in KZN wanted to place Nquthu under administration after what it was said was turmoil over a bid to replace the Mayor, S Kunene, following an ”illegal Council sitting”, among other issues But Mkhuleko Hlengwa, MP, IFP national spokesman, said ‘the bid to place the Municipality under administration was to essentially strip the Council of all its powers – was purely political and without substance.’

“Minster Dlamini-Zuma’s refusal of the request sent to her for concurrence has essentially drawn a line in the sand, and has stopped the continued political weaponisation of Section 139, meant to bully IFP-led municipalities in the province. “The ANC Provincial Executive in KZN have for years tried to destabilise IFP municipalities without valid reason by abusing the use of Section 139 of our Constitution.

“The continued political antics of the COGTA MEC and the Provincial Executive have finally come to an end, thanks to this decision. “In 2017, the Provincial government unnecessarily dissolved Nquthu Municipality Council in an attempt to undo the 2016 electoral outcome with a hope that the ANC would gain control of the Municipality, but this attempt met with very little success as the People gave the IFP a resounding mandate.

“The IFP has full confidence in the Nquthu Local Council and the leadership of the Municipality to deliver effective and efficient services to the residents of Nquthu. “It will serve the ANC well to desist from playing political football with the lives and livelihoods of the people of Nquthu who are happy with the IFP’s record of clean, cooperative, effective and corruption-free government.”