Celani Sikhakhane
The IFP councillor who attempted to assault KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala is a suspended director of uMtubatuba Local Municipality, Scrolla.Africa can reveal.
Killer Mkhwanazi was suspended three years ago from his position after being accused of fraud and corruption.
Following last month’s municipal elections, he then returned to his former employee as a councillor.
On Monday he led a protest amongst IFP councillors who were opposed to Zikalala’s address at the council inauguration.
He swore at Zikalala and attempted to assault him before being restrained by SAPS officers.
Some politicians were angered by Mkhwanazi’s action, with one member of the ANC suggesting that they should have done the same to a member of the IFP.
“It was totally unacceptable to see Mkhwanazi humiliating Zikalala the way he did. What is more painful is that as members of the ANC we didn’t do this thing to his former IFP leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, when he was addressing the Zululand inauguration council on Friday last week,” said one ANC Zululand councillor who did not want to be named.
Government spokesperson Lennox Mabaso said Zikalala had expected a hostile reception in uMkhanyakude.
“Zikalala is a seasoned politician. So this thing that you try so hard to paint it as a humiliation or disruption was actually not. The Premier understood very well that he was there to deal with politicians and his focus was to make sure that the council was able to elect all office bearers,” said Mabaso.
Mkhwanazi could not be reached for comment.
