With the start of the new year, Mondlo residents have once again revived calls for their area to gain independence from the AbaQulusi Local Municipality.

Concerns raised during legislature outreach

The issue was strongly raised late last year during the Provincial Legislature’s Taking Legislature to the People programme in Vryheid, where residents put the matter directly to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli and senior government officials.

Protest brings township to a standstill

Residents also voiced their concerns to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi following a protest that brought the township to a standstill. During the unrest, municipal offices and a TLB machine were torched.

Load-reduction measures spark unrest

The protest was sparked by load-reduction measures implemented by AbaQulusi Local Municipality in September. Other communities, including Hlobane, Vaalbank and Cliffdale, were also affected.

At the time, the municipality said the reductions were necessary due to widespread non-payment and illegal electricity connections, which placed heavy strain on the local grid. Reduction periods were later shortened from four hours to two.

Mayor rules out Mondlo independence

In November, Zululand District Mayor Michael Khumalo addressed residents during the IDP/Budget roadshow in Mvuzeni, indicating that “Mondlo will never become independent and would remain under AbaQulusi’s administration.”

His remarks sparked debate among residents, with some confident that independence could be achieved by 2026, while others are preparing to vote in the next local government elections.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.