Mashaba denies conspiracy involvement
Ruling party regional head says 'he is not involved in any plot' to remove the KZN Premier.
ANC regional head Thulani Mashaba has vehemently denied allegations implicating him in a plot within the ruling party to oust KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu.
In an exclusive interview with the Zululand Observer on Wednesday, Mashaba said ‘his name was being dragged’ in the media when he had ‘no such agenda’ to remove a fellow comrade.
Last month, The Sunday Times reported that an employee in the Office of the KZN Premier had allegedly tried to poison her boss’ meal.
The paper said Mchunu was alerted to the danger in time and the plot was foiled. It was alleged that details of the move were contained in an intelligence report handed to the Premier.
It has been further reported that a faction within the ANC, of which Mashaba is reportedly involved, has been lobbying for ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala to replace Mchunu as Premier during the party’s provincial conference next year.
However, Mashaba dismissed any claims of dissention, adding that a plot to kill the Premier affected not only the Mchunu family, but the entire province.
‘We sympathise with Mchunu and his family if there is any threat against him. It should be investigated and the culprit must be apprehended and dealt with accordingly. ‘We are not involved in any plot and are trying to unite the region instead,’ Mashaba said.
Service delivery
He said the ANC Musa Dladla region was focusing on service delivery to the poorest communities in Zululand.
‘Any matter of provincial leadership is not discussed at regional level. There are procedures within the ANC and this is not an issue occupying our attention. ‘Our people are being affected by lightning strikes, high unemployment levels and poverty. My focus is the growth of the region. I have only been elected for three years and I do not know whether I will be elected again after the conference.’
He said the ANC was ‘not in the business of removing people’.
‘When you finish your term, you step down. I was attacked at home last year and had to face the alleged perpetrators in court last week. I am not involved in any plot whatsoever,’ Mashaba said.
