MMC and Ward 14 councillor in Govan Mbeki Municipality resigns
Jabu Zwane will talk to the Ridge Times when the time is right.
The Govan Mbeki MMC for Revenue Enhancement and Ward 14 Clr Jabu Zwane has resigned from both the ANC and the municipality.
Zwane submitted his resignation letter to the municipality on May 28, stating that he was stepping down due to unresolved issues within the ANC, which he had raised multiple times without response.
When the Ridge Times spoke to Zwane about the circulating letter, he confirmed his resignation but that he would comment on his decision when the time was right.
This is not the first time Zwane, the municipality, and the ANC have held differing views. In 2021, Zwane faced disciplinary action from the ANC in the Gert Sibande District Municipality.
According to a notice served to him at the time, he was charged with alleged misconduct related to November 22 – the day new councillors were sworn in at the Lillian Ngoyi Centre – and was accused of neglecting or failing to attend the ANC caucus that day.
He was also charged with informing ANC deployees that he did not support the collective caucus decision on nominating candidates for council positions and failed to participate in their election.
According to the notice, as a result of Zwane’s conduct or omission, the ANC’s nominated candidates did not receive the expected number of votes.
It was alleged that Zwane showed fellow councillors or comrades a photo of his marked ballot paper, which reflected a vote contrary to the ANC’s decision.
At the time, Zwane told the Ridge Times he was being charged because he had been vocal about the Section 106 forensic report.
Zwane expressed surprise that the person set to preside over his disciplinary hearing was also implicated in the same Section 106 forensic investigation report.
He also questioned the ANC’s position at the time, following the nomination of the council’s chief whip, Joseph Mtsweni.
The ANC later dropped the charges, and Zwane was appointed MMC while continuing as Ward 14 councillor. The Ridge Times contacted Muzi Chirwa, Mpumalanga ANC secretary, for comment, but he did not answer his phone before going to print.
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