Sihle Mavuso presents the latest news from KwaZulu-Natal.
Hazelmere – Water and electricity challenges in Durban have sparked another violent community protest in the troubled city run by the ANC. Residents of Hazelmere near Verulam in Durban blockaded roads on Monday morning and stoned passing cars while demanding water and the restoration of electricity by the eThekwini municipality. The residents claimed they have been without water for almost two weeks and the municipality is not giving them answers. The Hazelmere water challenge started before the ongoing wildcat strike by some employees of the municipality. The electricity issues started over the weekend.
Melmoth – Another bruising by-election is expected later this year in the Mthonjaneni (Melmoth) local municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal after the resignation of an ANC councillor. Kwazikwenkosi Mkhize cited ill health and left the position he assumed in November 2021. In a statement on Monday, the municipality said it had already declared a vacancy and duly informed the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission). By-elections are held within three months after a vacancy has been declared.
Durban – The provincial chairperson of ActionSA in KZN, Zwakele Mncwango, says Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the newly appointed traditional prime minister to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, lied when he claimed that he called for the scrapping of the royal privilege granted to open the provincial legislature. The King officially opens the provincial legislature before the State of the Province Address (Sopa) is delivered the following day by the KZN premier. Mncwango, who is also his party’s premier candidate, said that being from Nongoma, the seat of royal power, he respects the King and the monarchy. Mncwango said his party said the King’s opening of the legislature and Sopa should be combined and done on the same day to save costs.
Ulundi – The KZN provincial government is almost done with preparations for the 110th commemoration of King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo this coming Saturday at KwaCeza near Ulundi in the north of the province. King Dinuzulu is a revered Zulu king who led the nation between 1884 and 1913. At that time, the British had upped the ante in its fight to partition the Zulu Kingdom after triumphing in the battle of Ulundi by defeating the forces of King Cetshwayo. The British later accused King Dinuzulu of backing the Bhambatha rebellion against taxes in 1906 and he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. The King also backed the formation of the ANC in 1912 in Bloemfontein.
Durban – The new kid on the political block, Rise Mzansi led by Songezo Zibi, will announce its premier candidate for KZN on Wednesday. The party is expected to name Nonkulelo Hlongwane-Mhlongo, one of its senior leaders who has been visible in the past few months by taking over community issues. Hlongwane-Mhlongo recently visited Mthwalume (Qoloqolo) to meet with the community about the challenges facing learners who have to cross swollen rivers to get to school.
Pictured above: The Hazelmere protest on Monday.
Image source: Supplied
