Nhlanhla Mabaso13 February 2024 | 15:50

ANC KZN expels councillor, suspends 7 others for disloyalty

Last week, during a council meeting the IFP’s Mlungisi Ndlovu was elected new mayor an appointment labelled fake by the ANC.

ANC KZN expels councillor, suspends 7 others for disloyalty

An African National Congress (ANC) flag flies outside a polling station in Langa, near Cape Town, on 1 November 2021. Picture: AFP

DURBAN - The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has expelled one councillor and suspended seven others for being disloyal to the party.

This comes after allegations that party councillors voted with the opposition, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in the Umzumbe Local Municipality on the KZN south coast during an election of a new mayor.

Last week, during a council meeting the IFP’s Mlungisi Ndlovu was elected new mayor an appointment labelled fake by the ANC.

The party said the removal of the councillors is disciplinary action.

The ANC in the province said its eight councillors who participated in the election of an IFP mayor in Umzube last week broke party rules.

Provincial spokesperson Mafika Mndebele said the ANC had to act.

“No member of the ANC, nor a representative is allowed to work with any political formation besides the formation in alliance with the ANC, so by so doing they were contravening Rule 25 of the ANC."

However, the IFP's Thami Ntuli said while there was no agreement between the parties - councillors can always reach a consensus on their own.

“When members are in a municipality they become members of the council irrespective of origin in terms of political parties. And for decisions of the council they vote according to the decision that is on the table.”

The ANC said it will be deploying new party representatives in the communities of the affected councillors.