Lungani Zungu
The rural residents of uMkhanyakude in the far north of KZN are the witnesses to a bewildering mayoral power struggle between the ANC and the IFP.
After ANC mayor Solomon Mkhombo was voted out in a motion of no confidence a month ago, IFP councillor, Tim Moodley willingly took to the mayoral office after he was voted in.
But his excitement was short-lived after Mkhombo’s return to the office a few days later, claiming that he was still the legitimate mayor.
This plunged the cash-strapped rural municipality into disarray, placing its residents on the receiving end of the leadership battle.
Community leader Thami Ngubane told Scrolla.Africa he didn’t know who the real mayor was.
“This is bad for the residents. Nothing is happening in terms of service delivery because of the chaos in the municipality,” he said.
“The council is divided but not along party lines. The division is about the two people who are fighting.”
He said the council was a mess.
Resident Musa Makhoba pleaded with the politicians to put the people first.
“All I want is services. I don’t care who the mayor is. They are placing us in a difficult position. We are suffering.”
Many of the villages have no running water or proper housing.
Mkhombo declined to comment on the matter.
The IFP has since taken the matter to the Cooperative Governance Department in the province.
The Department said it was handling the matter and will release a report soon.
