ANC Ekurhuleni rocked as regional secretary Jongisizwe Dlabathi resigns amid fallout with mayor Xhakaza

By Thebe Mabanga

The ANC in Ekurhuleni has been rocked by the resignation of regional secretary and member of the mayoral committee Jongizizwe Dlabathi, effective Friday.

In a letter addressed to regional office bearers and copied to the regional executive committee and provincial leadership, Dlabathi said he was stepping down in the best interests of the party in the region and “its functioning”.

“I am humbled by the privilege and opportunity granted to serve, to dispose of my skills and professional expertise in the course of organisational work, transformation, service delivery, development, as well as ethical and good governance,” he wrote.

His resignation comes amid speculation that he was unhappy with the leadership of regional chairperson and Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza.

This week, Xhakaza appointed ANC councillors to positions previously held by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) without consulting regional leadership structures.

According to sources, this was the final straw