By Celani Sikhakhane
- KwaMashu hostel residents were angry after the ward councillor’s office cancelled the men’s leader inauguration ceremony on Sunday.
- Community members blame political sabotage as ANC-IFP rivalry heats up ahead of 2026 local government elections.
KwaMashu hostel residents are angry after the last-minute cancellation of their men’s leader inauguration ceremony.
The ceremony for Lucky Ntombela, known as Phatha Four, was happening on Sunday when a call from the ward councillor’s office ordered it to stop.
Angry community members who came to celebrate told Scrolla.Africa the cancellation was political sabotage.
“We believe the biggest problem here was political sabotage because the call to cancel the gathering came while we were already at the ceremony. It is very painful because people spent so much for this event. This includes food, alcohol and other things to entertain the attendees,” said one community member.
“I think the councillor’s office views this event as an IFP gathering. That is why they decided to sabotage it since the ward is governed by the ANC.”
The ceremony saw hundreds of men gathered to celebrate Ntombela’s inauguration after he was appointed earlier this year as Induna yezinsizwa.
The job of Induna yezinsizwa is to enforce discipline among men, especially during Zulu royal ceremonies.
Ntombela confirmed the last-minute cancellation of the event.
“We got a call from the ward councillor’s office that we should cancel the event but there was no clear reason why the event was cancelled. It happened while we were already at the event for my official inauguration as Induna yezinsizwa,” said Ntombela.
KwaMashu Hostel is a highly contested area, especially between the ANC and the IFP.
As the 2026 local government elections get closer, both political parties are flexing their muscles to strengthen their support base.
They even hijack community gatherings to make sure they are visible.
The ward councillor’s office could not be reached for comment.
Pictured above: Political sabotage is being blamed for the last-minute cancellation of the inauguration of Induna yezinsizwa at kwaMashu Hostel.
Image source: Supplied
