Lungani Zungu
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has taken a bold decision to take a chunk of the traditional IFP vote in the province.
For the past two decades, the party has concentrated on growing its support in urban areas of Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and Stanger, but hardly making inroads in IFP strongholds across the Tugela River.
But on the eve of the local government elections, the DA is taking its charm offensive to rural KZN by joining hundreds of izinduna (headmen and women) who are fighting to get their back pay of R1.4 billion from the ANC government.
“Obviously we want the back pay to be paid, but we are of the view that it should come from the national government,” said DA provincial leader Francois Rodgers.
The izindunas have also threatened to campaign against the ANC in the coming elections, bringing more headaches to the already embattled ruling party.
Last week, the ANC failed to submit some of its candidates to the IEC before the deadline. Now, more than 3,000 izinduna in KZN are threatening to discourage their subjects from voting for the ANC because of outstanding back pay of R1.4 billion.
Indunas in KZN were not paid for the period between 2013 and 2016 during former president Jacob Zuma’s tenure.
Secretary-General of Ubumbano Lwezinduna, Induna Falendoda Malinga from the Zululand District, said they were forced to take a firm stand against the ANC.
“We are not part of politics but the circumstances are forcing us to tell our people not to vote for the ANC,” said Malinga.
“They have played with us for far too long. We are tired of excuses.”
Malinga said the ANC would feel the heat at the elections.
“The province is very rural and ruled by izinduna. Imagine what will happen during the elections if millions of rural residents dump the ANC,” he said.
Malinga also said the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), which is responsible for paying their salaries, promised them they would get their back pay before the election. They still haven’t received a cent.
Izinduna salaries have not increased from R9,000 since 2017.
The ANC-led KZN provincial government has said it did not have money to pay the izinduna.
Cogta said it was dealing with the issue internally.
