SANDILE MOTHA
THE ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has taken a decision to force its deployees facing legal woes to step down and subject themselves to the party’s provincial Integrity Commission.
This move was announced at the provincial executive committee special meeting held on Friday which among other things was aimed at addressing the public backlash over the deployment of controversial politician and former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede to the provincial legislature.
Gumede is facing fraud and corruption allegations relating to a more than R350 million waste management tender.
At Friday’s media briefing, provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli said the PEC had agreed that as a measure to salvage the party’s public image, Gumede together with former MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Mike Mabuyakhulu should be recused from exercising any responsibility both within the party and the state.
Mabuyakhulu is currently serving in the PEC as deputy chairperson.
“This decision was reached after intensive engagements with the two comrades on how best can we find each other and also ensure that the party’s integrity is upheld in the public discourse. Both the comrades are currently undergoing court cases, so they agreed that it was best that they step aside pending the outcome of the Integrity Commission,” explained Ntuli.
He said the two senior politicians are prohibited from participating in any activities relating to the party and the state, this include not standing for any elections within the party.
“It is our hope that the Integrity Commission will accelerate it work ideally within a month. If this process clears them, they will resume their previous duties,” said Ntuli.
Asked to provide insight as to what will happen on the salary implication especially pertaining to Gumede as an MPL, Ntuli said she will receive her full pay whilst awaiting the outcome by the commission.
Mabuyakhulu is ANC provincial heavyweight and is facing money laundering and corruption charges relating to kickbacks amounting to R300 000 he allegedly received from one of the service providers who were organizing the North Sea Jazz Festival in 2012 which did not materialise.
Last year, he was forced to withdraw his name on the provincial list ahead of the national elections. He was arrested together with at least 15 accused in 2018.
Mabuyakhulu has failed twice in his bid to stay out of prosecution. In his first attempt, he made an urgent application pleading to the Durban Commercial Crimes Court that he must be trialed separately from the other accused, this was however denied.
He subsequently launched an application to have the charges quashed, crying political conspiracy and prejudice.
At Friday’s media briefing which was also attended by provincial chairperson and KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala, it emerged that Gumede was recommended for the legislature seat last year when she was recalled as mayor.
“This was the resolution taken last year when the eThekwini EXCO was recalled. They party felt that it would be unhealthy for comrade Zandile to remain in the metro having vacated her position. She was then recommended for another deployment, the resolution was only implemented this year,” said Zikalala.
Gumede’s redeployment was met with condemnation from both the public and opposition parties who argued that he was not fit and proper to be assigned the legislature role. Gumede is going back to court next month where she intends applying for a permanent stay of prosecution on grounds of political assassination.
(COMPILED BY INSIDE METRO STAFF)