Sihle Mavuso presents the latest news from KwaZulu-Natal.
Durban — The former chairperson of the ANC in the Inkosi Bhambatha region (Umzinyathi) in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Dr James Mthethwa, has dumped the governing party and joined the Abantu Batho Congress (ABC) led by Philani PG Mavundla, an ally of former president Jacob Zuma. Mthethwa was today announced as the deputy national chairperson of the party. In 2015, while he was the ANC mayor of Umzinyathi, Mthethwa was slammed after he told community gatherings that gays and lesbians were behind the spike in HIV cases in Greytown and Dundee in KZN. The ANC then moved him to the National Council of Provinces in Cape Town.
Newcastle — Two by-elections, in Pongola and Newcastle, are set to take place on Wednesday. The by-elections will give the uMkhonto Wesizwe party (MK), which is supported by Jacob Zuma, another opportunity to prove itself after coming third in the by-election in Ward 8 in Abaqulusi (Vryheid) last week. The IFP won 47% of the vote, the ANC got 31% and MK 19%, outclassing the EFF which has been in the political arena for over 10 years but only got 1% of the vote.
Pietermaritzburg — The high court in the city is today hearing the case brought by Prince Mbonisi Zulu and others who are seeking to legally bar King Misuzulu kaZwelithini from accessing Ingonyama Trust funds. They also want the court to set aside the appointment of Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi as the new traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation. Prince Mbonisi, the half-brother of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, and his allies say there is a dispute over the throne and the king should not be making appointments until the matter is settled in court.
Vryheid — Sifiso Mthethwa, the mayor of Abaqulusi in northern KZN, says the municipality’s revenue collection efforts have been hampered by residents who continue to illegally connect themselves to the electricity grid. As a result, the municipality has embarked on a campaign to ensure that those who have been disconnected do not find their way back onto the grid illegally.
La Mercy — The Dube Trade Port in La Mercy says air freight volumes through its cargo terminal have risen significantly over the past six months as the effects of congestion and slow-throughput capacity at South Africa’s major ports ripple across the supply chain. Durban’s air cargo operations, handled through the Dube Cargo Terminal at King Shaka International Airport, have been on the rise over the past two financial years. Demand for airfreight spiked over the past four months leading into 2024, with cargo throughput rising by 57% from September to December 2023. Challenges at the Durban port continued to drive significant demand towards airfreight in January 2024.
Pictured above: Dr James Mthethwa.
Image source: X
