By Zukile Majova
Philani Mavundla, the Abantu Batho Congress (ABC) councillor whose 11th hour betrayal of a coalition of opposition parties helped the ANC retain control of eThekwini Metro, is now fighting for his political survival.
Mavundla, a close friend of former president Jacob Zuma, is said to have consulted Zuma who told him to vote with the ANC.
His decision was so important that with just two seats, the ABC was rewarded with the position of deputy mayor for the R55.5 billion municipality.
But things have since gone sour for the deputy mayor.
On Monday, Speaker Thabani Nyawose confirmed that a council meeting scheduled for Tuesday is set to hear an urgent notice to remove Mavundla from the executive committee.
The fallout between Mavundla and the ANC could once again test the strength of the opposition coalition bloc made up of the DA, the EFF, the IFP, ACDP and ActionSA.
ANC support in the region fell from 56% in 2016 to 42% in the November 2021 elections, leaving the party with 96 seats and 16 seats short for a majority.
The showdown, however, will have to wait as Mavundla has gone to the Durban High Court to challenge the council meeting set to remove him, saying the correct procedure was not followed.
Mavundla said the ANC was unravelling the coalition with the ABC to protect eThekwini Mayor
Mxolisi Kaunda, who has been criticised for failing to rebuild the infrastructure of the city after the devastating floods that destroyed the drainage and sewerage system.
The ABC president also claims to have a binding agreement with the ANC government that expires in 2026.
Kaunda himself is pushing back against calls for him to resign after failing to guarantee Durban beaches would be clean and free of E coli in time for this year’s holidaymakers.
The stench is expected to cost Durban Tourism, hotels and the broader tourism value chain billions of rands.
Pictured above: In happier times, eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and deputy mayor Philani Mavundla
Image source: IOL
