Ward 3 councillor Mbulelo Phakathi has dismissed a request by his party, the ABC, to have him removed from the Endumeni Municipal Council, arguing that the move has no legal basis.

The dispute follows a letter dated June 3 in which the ABC called on the municipal manager to declare Phakathi’s council seat vacant.

The party alleged that Phakathi, its sole representative on the Endumeni council, had joined the Inkatha Freedom Party in breach of the ABC’s membership conditions.

According to the letter, Phakathi also failed to attend party meetings and ignored party directives. The ABC said these actions led to the termination of his membership.

“Cllr Phakathi therefore no longer qualifies to serve as an ABC representative on the Endumeni Council. We therefore ask that the municipal manager declare his seat vacant with immediate effect,” the letter states.

Responding to the allegations, Phakathi told the Courier that a High Court ruling handed down in December 2024 effectively safeguards his position while legal disputes within the party remain unresolved.

He said legal proceedings involving the ABC, the Endumeni municipal manager and Endumeni Municipality were adjourned sine die, meaning the matter was postponed indefinitely.

According to Phakathi, the court order allows him to continue serving as a councillor until all internal disputes within the party have been resolved.

“The High Court has already ruled, and neither the party nor the municipal manager can change that ruling. I will continue serving the Ward 3 constituency to the best of my ability,” he said.

Phakathi said his legal representatives had received the letter and would respond through the appropriate channels.

Future political plans remain unclear

When questioned about allegations that he had joined the Inkatha Freedom Party, a move that would give the party an outright majority on the Endumeni council, Phakathi declined to elaborate.

At present, the Inkatha Freedom Party holds five seats on the council, alongside Phakathi’s seat, while the African National Congress has five seats and the Democratic Alliance holds two.

“That is a story for another day,” he said.

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