By Lungani Zungu
The IFP has sacked Mletheni Ndlovu, the embattled mayor of Msinga.
Ndlovu is facing gun-related charges and was also dramatically accused by a colleague of being behind the murder of IFP councillor Siyanda Magubane.
The party announced Nldovu’s sacking on Monday evening, ending weeks of speculation about Ndlovu’s fate.
“At its meeting on 28 November, the IFP NEC resolved to recall the Mayor of uMsinga Local Municipality, Councillor Mletheni Ndlovu,” said the party in a statement.
The current Speaker of Felenkosini Sikhakhane UMzinyathi District Municipality will take over as mayor, while Tyson Kunene will take over the reins as the Speaker of UMzinyathi District Municipality.
Ndlovu accepted his party’s decision.
“We all serve at the behest of our party. I did not join the IFP for positions. I will continue within my party.”
About his legal challenges, he said his hands were clean and he vowed to clear his name in court. Ndlovu was arrested on gun-related charges in October and was subsequently suspended.
He is out on bail of R10,000 after appearing in the Magistrate’s Court in Msinga, facing a charge of possessing a firearm.
He was charged alongside party councillors Muhawuken Sokhela and Thokozani Sokhela, and his bodyguards, Lionel Malembe and Mvikeleni Mzolo.
They are all out on bail.
Ndlovu was fingered in the death of party councillor Magubane in September, an allegation he has repeatedly angrily dismissed.
His suspension fuelled speculation that the party would terminate his membership, however the party took the safe approach and did not terminate his membership, and only axed him as mayor.
Ndlovu commands a sizable support in the town of Msinga in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, and terminating his membership would have triggered divisions in the IFP.
A by-election was held last week to fill his position, and the IFP’s Musawenkosi Ndebele was elected as the new councillor of Ward 11.
Ndlovu’s sacking follows that of Vuselwa Bam, the mayor of Amajuba District Municipality, who resigned last week after the party decided to fire her.
Pictured above: Suspended IFP mayor Mletheni Ndlovu
Picture source: Mletheni Ndlovu’s Facebook
