SANDILE MOTHA
THE ongoing allegations of misconduct and unethical behaviour levelled against senior ANC politicians in KwaZulu-Natal has created a public relations nightmare for the party.
At the centre of the schism is ANC leader and controversial figure Jomo Sibiya who is accused of using has powerful position to ask for sexual favours from young women within the party, a claim Sibiya has vehemently denied.
Nokwanda Ndlovu, who has been branded a fake intern doctor, broke the silence penning a letter seeking intervention from the ANC to stop Sibiya and other senior party members from targeting young women and making sexual advances.
Mdumiseni Ntuli, ANC provincial secretary confirmed to Inside Metros that an ad-hoc committee has been appointed to look into the allegations contained in the letter.
“Following the complaint, the ANC assembled a committee which will look into the allegations and will report to the provincial executive committee. It has already began it work,” said Ntuli this week.
Ntuli said the committee will be headed by former premier and ANC veteran politician Willies Mchunu, eThekwini municipal speaker and former MEC Weziwe Thusi is also part of the committee.
Inside Metros understands that controversial Newcastle local municipality mayor, Ntuthuko Mahlaba and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka are among ANC top brass to be summoned to appear in the committee to explain themselves.
23-year – old Ndlovu apparently had an affair with Sibiya after he had promised to advance her politically.
The letter apparently cites both Hlomuka and Mahlaba as key movers who forced Ndlovu to abort a baby which was conceived during the affair.
Sibiya is also accused of leading a campaign to discredit and silence Ndlovu because of their frosty relations.
Ndlovu is currently facing legal woes allegedly for defrauding the KZN health claiming to be an intern doctor studying her medical degree at Wits.
Xolani Dube, KZN based political analyst and senior researcher at Xubera Research Institute and Development said the revelations were a real test for the ANC in the province.
“The ANC is under severe pressure to act decisively on the implicated politicians. So it remains to be seen whether anything will come out from the investigation or whether it is just a public relations exercise,” said Dube.
(COMPILED BY INSIDE METROS STAFF)