Celani Sikhakhane
After realising that her party was losing power at the Umkhanyakude District Municipality, a local councillor flew into a fury and began beating her male colleague.
It’s alleged that last Tuesday ANC councillor Zanele Mlambo got angry that her party was losing seats in the municipality and she lashed out at IFP councillor Mpiyakhe Mhlongo, punching him in the face.
Mhlongo reacted furiously and had to be held back to prevent him from returning Mlambo’s blows, as the council of Umkhanyakude descended into chaos – and not for the first time.
Following the local government elections held last year in November, the police were called to calm the situation in the council after an IFP councillor fought with premier Sihle Zikalala and forced him to leave the podium.
Umkhanyakude Deputy Mayor Killer Mkhwanazi said the assault on Mhlongo was a deliberate move to disrupt the IFP from taking over the power from the ANC.
“We spoke to Mhlongo so that he would not press charges against Mlambo. It was a move to defuse us from taking over the municipality but we managed to take power from them anyway,” says Mkhwanazi.
The ANC in Umkhanyakude has not commented on the alleged assault but has claimed that the meeting in which it occurred took place illegally.
Siphile Mdaka of the ANC said he is still the mayor of the district. He said the meeting was conducted without the quorum of 17 councillors that were required to vote.
KwaZulu-Natal Cogta spokesperson Nonala Ndlovu said they are monitoring the situation because Umkhanyakude is still under their administration.
