Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Durban: National Freedom Party national chairperson Sbusiso Mkhabela says MEC Mbali Shinga was appointed by God.
Mkhabela is also the mayor of eDumbe Local Municipality in Paulpietersburg. He spoke to new Department of Social Development workers in Durban on Thursday. Shinga used the event to introduce 150 new social workers to serve communities across KwaZulu Natal.
Mkhabela is fighting back against his own party leaders. The NFP announced this week that it had fired Shinga. The party told KwaZulu Natal speaker Nontembeko Boyce to replace her with party president Ivan Barnes.
“How could you disrupt or remove someone like Shinga whose appointment to serve the people of KwaZulu Natal was graced by God,” Mkhabela said.
He told the crowd that the department itself is chosen by God to look after vulnerable people in the province.
Suspended NFP provincial secretary Zodwa Mtshali also joined Shinga in Durban. Mtshali is the deputy mayor of uMhlabuyalingana. Mkhabela and Mtshali said they attended the event in their official roles as mayor and deputy mayor.
Hammarsdale: The Democratic Alliance in West Durban is mourning the death of police officer Mbalenhle “Mbali” Msomi.
The party described Msomi as a hardworking officer who served her community and fought against gender based violence. Her death has caused deep pain and anger in Hammarsdale and surrounding areas.
A suspect is expected to appear in the Hammarsdale Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The DA said the police must do a proper and fair investigation without any conflict of interest.
“The family and the public deserve confidence that all evidence will be properly investigated and placed before the court,” the party said.
University of KwaZulu Natal: Professor Amir Mohammadi has been named South Africa’s top scientist in engineering and technology.
The university celebrated his success on Thursday after he placed 316th in the 2026 Research.com global rankings.
Mohammadi is a chemical engineering professor. The platform ranked him based on the quality of his published work and his overall contribution to science. He also won the 2026 Research.com Engineering and Technology Leader Award.
Professor Glen Bright is the dean and head of the School of Engineering. He said the award shows the global impact of Mohammadi’s research and his hard work in engineering.
Pictured above: Sbusiso Mkhabela shakes hands with Deputy Minister of Labour Jomo Sibiya while Mbali Shinga looks on.
Image source: Supplied
