New political party cause unease
Rumours are doing the rounds that the newly registered political party ‘South African National Congress of Traditional Authorities’ (Sancota) is roping in some ANC councillors
Unease can be felt in the corridors of Emalahleni Local Municipality as a power shift is in the cards.
Rumours are doing the rounds that the newly registered political party ‘South African National Congress of Traditional Authorities’ (Sancota) is roping in some ANC councillors.
Local businessman Themba Sgudla told WITBANK NEWS in an exclusive interview on Thursday, February 21 that ANC councillors serving in Emalahleni are diverting to Sancota.
Sgudla’s view with the party is that traditional leaders must take up their rightful positions and run government.
Sgudla will remain president of his organisation the Practical Radical Economic Transformation (PRET) which will become Sancota’s “alliance partner”.
Sgudla said “Emalahleni Local Municipality has noted allegations that some seven councillors have resigned or have planned to resign. But since you state that these are ANC councilors, we would advise that you speak directly with the party. Remember that councillors are deployed by their political parties, and as such, when they either resign or get recalled, it then becomes the business of their respective political parties. It is for that reason that the Municipality would rather not comment on those allegations which seek to cause instability within the municipality,” Mr Kingdom Masbuza, municipal spokesperson said.
Ms Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, acting ANC provincial secretary said the ANC has not received any formal communication from any councillor expressing interest to leave the organisation to join a newly formed party.
The Emalahleni Municipality has received one resignation from councillor Timothy Lukhele from Ward 29, and there were no reasons stated for the resignation.
“It must be categorically stated that, the councillor who has resigned was allegedly under severe pressure from the community for various reasons including service delivery,” Ntshalintshali said.
The matter will be tabled to council tomorrow on February 28. Once accepted a vacancy will be declared and the by-elections will be declared by the IEC to fill Lukhele’s vacancy.
Lukhele did not want to speak to WITBANK NEWS.
