SPECULATION is rife that axed Kwazulu-Natal MEC for Education Peggy Nkonyeni could take over as the new mayor of the beleaguered Ugu District Municipality.
Ironically, she is also the widow of Ray Nkonyeni, the struggle hero whom the newly amalgamated Hibiscus Coast and Izinqoleni municipalities were named after.
Insiders (who wished to remain anonymous) said Mrs Nkonyeni had been touted to replace mayor Tolomane Mnyayiza who died after a brave fight with illness, right in the middle of the festive season water crisis which affected about 100 000 people.
The ANC Regional Executive Committee (REC) has apparently resolved to include Mrs Nkonyeni in the ‘top three list’ of possible candidates.
The decision was made at an REC meeting held on Tuesday this week.
Two other names on the list are former Ugu mayor (now speaker) Ntombifikile Gumede and deputy mayor Mondli Chiliza.
Whoever gets the job can expect fireworks as Ugu is currently facing huge pressure from the community after the festive season water crisis, closely followed by sewage polluting Uvongo and then Umzimkulu rivers.
The decision has not sat well will other members of the ANC who have called Mrs Nkonyeni ‘a failure’ after she ‘ran away’ from her provincial duties when ‘the going got tough’.
Mrs Nkonyeni, belonging to the ‘progressive forces’ faction and quit as the Provincial Executive Committee member within just a week of being appointed She citing her preference to focus more on her provincial ministerial duties at the time.
Following the ANC provincial elective conference held mid-last year, which saw ANC chairman Sihle Zikalala‘s faction, ‘Forces of change’, triumph, Mrs Nkonyeni was soon shown the exit as MEC for Education.
This was together with other MECs who were part of the ‘Progressive forces’, dubbed the ‘ultimate losers’.
Following her resignation last year, ANC provincial spokesman Mdumiseni Ntuli said Mrs Nkonyeni’s resignation from the PEC was ‘out of bitterness’ and ‘far from being genuine’.
At the time he was quoted saying: “She has not accepted that there is new leadership and is not prepared to be given whatever responsibility.”
Mr Ntuli also said he was not sure whether Mrs Nkonyeni would be considered for future deployments or not.
On Tuesday, Mr Ntuli told the Herald that they were not yet aware of the decision by the REC. However, the REC was entitled to submit a list with three names.
He said the REC would make a recommendation to the PEC (from which Mrs Nkonyeni resigned).
The PEC would relay the matter to the Deployment Committee (DC) which would look at factors such as capabilities and suitability of the proposed candidate for the position before making recommendations to the Provincial Working Committee (PWC).
ANC Lower South Coast regional secretary Mzwandile Mkhwanazi confirmed the meeting.
He said discussions had been held, although it would be unfair of him to confirm the names on the list because of procedures within the party.
However, he said they were looking for the ‘best of the best’, someone suitable for the position and well experienced.
“We will call a press conference as soon as decisions have been made. For now we have to follow processes and laws of the ANC.”
Mr Mkhwanazi also said he had no interest in taking the position of Ugu mayor as stated in other reports.
“A regional secretary cannot be deployed as mayor. I have no interests there.”
Meanwhile, Ugu spokesman France Zama said the position would be filled as soon as council resumed after recess. He made it clear that it was the prerogative of council to make those decisions.
Mrs Nkonyeni was contacted for comment, but her cellphone went straight to voicemail.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
