Sihle Mavuso presents the latest news from KwaZulu-Natal.
Greytown – The Abantu Batho Congress (ABC) says it will give a clear indication of how it intends to redeem itself regarding its previous support for the ANC at the launch of its manifesto in Durban on Saturday. In November 2021 it helped to bring the ANC back to power in eThekwini by giving it the two seats it needed to take control of the municipality. In exchange, the ANC gave the position of deputy mayor to ABC’s president, Philani PG Mavundla. Mavundla refused to give a clear answer when Scrolla.Africa asked him if he could assure South Africans that he would never again keep the ANC in power by donating the ABC’s votes to them.
Mandeni – A clothing shop operating in the Mandeni mall has suffered a R2-million loss in stock after it was gutted by a fire started by an electrical fault on Monday afternoon. Skippers Bar was saved from further damage when firefighters from the Mandeni municipality put out the blaze. The quick intervention also saved Mr Price and Ackerman’s shops in the mall from damage.
Pietermaritzburg – The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has advised athletes from outside Durban who will take part in this year’s “Up” run ultramarathon on Sunday 9 June to try to get to the starting point earlier. CMA race and operations manager Ann Ashworth advised runners to make their way an hour earlier to the start at the Durban City Hall. She said ongoing roadworks and the increased volume of traffic for the event will lead to congestion and longer travelling times. The race will start at 5.30am.
Zululand – The IFP-run Zululand district municipality has blamed KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, for the legal mess it found itself in after the Pietermaritzburg High Court reinstated its director for community services, Khabo Nene. The municipality said it has been left with egg on its face because it implemented a decision by the department which claimed that Nene was not suitably qualified for the position and must be removed. Despite the setback, the municipality said it will appeal the ruling handed down yesterday.
Umzumbe – Political parties are intensifying their campaign in Umzumbe municipality in southern KZN where the ANC fired its former speaker who later joined the Jacob Zuma-led Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK Party) and paved the way for by-elections. Sibonelo Maphumulo, from the wealthy Maphumulo family that controls several key sectors in the area such as taxis, buses, farming and property, is now contesting under the MK banner. The by-elections will be held on 24 April and both the IFP and ANC have fielded candidates. Today, the IFP sent its provincial chairperson and KZN premier candidate Thami Ntuli, to Umzumbe to bolster its campaign.
Pictured above: The president of Abantu Batho Congress, Philani PG Mavundla, left, with his deputy, Dr Makhosi Khoza, right.
Image source: Sihle Mavuso
