Nongoma by-election heats up

A war of words has erupted between the IFP and the ANC ahead of an upcoming by-election to be held on November 7 in Ward 20 in Nongoma.

The area has in the past been known as an IFP stronghold, which controls the local municipality.

The IFP leader in the KZN Legislature has accused the ANC of using state resources to win elections at all cost.

He was referring to the Operation Sukuma Sakhe event, which he said was organised by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

‘We demand to know from the KZN Premier, Willies Mchunu as to why other political parties were not invited to the Sukuma Sakhe event?

‘We have it on record that the MEC did not inform the Mayor of Nongoma, and the Zululand District Mayor about her visit.

ALSO READ: Iyivumile induku i-ANC okhethweni lokuchibiyela

‘This shows that the MEC does not respect local leadership including mayors and councillors belonging to other political parties other than the ANC.

‘Now we are convinced that this is a blatant abuse of state resources yet again by the ANC in ensuring that the party gains control of Ward 20.

‘It is true that the people of Nongoma need service delivery before and after the upcoming by-elections, but we see that there is a clear manipulation of state resources to bolster the ANC’s fortunes in the area.

‘We always question why members of the different political parties represented in the KZN Legislature are excluded from these so called Izimbizo’s orchestrated under the guise of service delivery if they are government events and not for the ANC only,’ said Gwala.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for COGTA MEC, Lennox Mabaso has dismissed Gwala’s accusations, saying he has been misinformed.

‘There was never a Sukuma Sakhe event in Nongoma. As a department we have embarked on a number of awareness campaigns which we do annually in all areas, particularly those affected by disasters.

‘Last week we had a Summer Disaster Awareness Campaign in areas under Zululand District Municipality, where we also handed out lightning rods.

‘Lightning knows no political party. In Ward 20 alone, four families were affected by lightning and are now homeless. Are you saying we should not intervene as government to assist our rural communities?’

Mabaso said his department had a healthy relations with all local municipalities under the Zululand District Municipality, including the Mayor Cllr Thulasizwe Buthelezi.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer