Celani Sikhakhane
Divisions within opposition parties in Ladysmith have seen the embattled Alfred Duma local Municipality Mayor escape a vote of no confidence.
Scrolla.Africa has learned that the internal fighting in the IFP led to some of its councillors snubbing the motion of no confidence vote against mayor Vincent Madlala of the ANC.
Mayor Vincent Madlala’s sons, Sabelo and Sbonelo, and three of his bodyguards are accused of murdering Mncedisi Dladla and two others.
Madlala himself and his daughter Sinazo were arrested for defeating the ends of justice. Madlala is also facing charges of being in possession of illegal firearms. Madlala and Sinazo were later released on R10,000 bail each.
The motion of no confidence was filed by the DA two weeks ago to remove Madlala from his position in order to face his criminal cases in court.
An IFP councillor who did not want to be named said the internal squabbling has led to members snubbing caucus meetings.
“The selection of candidates for the upcoming local government elections has torn our party apart in this constituency,” said the councillor.
DA councillor, Khulekani Msibi said that their motion was well planned but it didn’t succeed because of the EFF and Nadeco.
“EFF and Nadeco made it clear that they want Madlala to stay. So they didn’t support our motion. On the IFP matter, I won’t say much because as far as I know they were part of our motion against Madlala,” said Msibi.
EFF councillor Mbongeni Shange said that they did not know anything about the motion.
“The DA didn’t tell us anything when they filed the motion. So it was difficult for us to support something we don’t know,” said Shange.
The DA had high hopes that they were going to win the motion due to the points they raised to support the removal of Madlala.
Madlala is facing charges which include obstruction of justice and being in possession of illegal firearms.
He is out on a R10,000 bail with the conditions that he report to eZakheni Police station every Friday between 6am and 6pm.
Image source: Northern Natal News
