ZIWAPHI • VOL 4 NO 6 • 26 MARCH - 8 APRIL 2010
For the first time, the Executive Mayor of Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM), Lassy Chiwayo gave a detailed account of the nature of the political interference that he was subjected to since he was assigned as the caretaker mayor for the embattled municipality.
Addressing a press conference at the municipality’s headquarters in Nelspruit yesterday. Chiwayo was reacting to the decision that was announced to the media by Regional Secretary of the African National Congress in Ehlanzeni, Pat Ngomane, that Chiwayo be removed as the mayor of the Mpumalanga capital.
Chiwayo labeled the decision a “pre emptive strike” to thwart the outcome of the ANC’s NEC Task Team that is investigating the problems engulfing the organisation in the province.
“I strongly believe that the action by the REC is a pre-emptive strike as they know for a fact that there will be no findings of wrong doing against me, instead the report will show that my tenure as Mayor has been marred by political interference and sabotage because of my resolve to fight corruption,” he said.
Chiwayo admitted that he had refused to implement certain instructions he had been given by the REC, which included the reinstatement of Mbombela’s former municipal manager, Jacob Dladla, after he had been suspended on charges of alleged corruption linked to the awarding of contracts for the construction of the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer stadium.
“I received instructions from some of the members of the REC and PEC to reinstate Mr Dladla, an instruction which I vehemently refused to follow as I wanted the legal process to take its course and I also held the view that Mr Dladla had a lot to answer,” said Chiwayo.
Dladla was found guilty of the charges and subsequently dismissed last year.
The Mbombela debacle is believed to have cost the life of former Speaker of the municipality, Jimmy Mohlala who was executed outside his KaNyamazane House on January 4, 2009, just days before he was due to testify against Dladla.
Chiwayo, however, also said that after Dladla’s dismissal he continued to receive instructions from the REC to give Dladla a golden handshake, which he also refusedand instead opted to terminate Dladla’s eomployment with the municipality.
Chiwayo, undoubtedly created more enemies for himself when he recently fired the Head of Security for the 2010 Soccer World Cup in Mbombela, Welcome Nkuna, which many people believe propelled the REC to push for Chiwayo’s removal. Nkuna is a well-known loyalist to Premier David Mabuza.
The Mbombela Mayor also revealed the decision to have him removed was also linked to his refusal to implement an instruction from REC members, Pat Ngomane, Peter Nyoni (Deputy Chairperson) and Bheki Zulu (RWC member) to change the Mayoral Committee by removing Deputy Mayor Naki Ndlovu and replace her with Jester Sidel. Sidel is the wife of REC member Peter Nyoni.
Chiwayo told the media conference that he resisted this instruction because he could not implement a decision that was taken “between the sheets”.
The outspoken Mbombela mayor did admit to the media that he feard for his life, but that he would not be deterred.
“”I fear for my life, particularly after we the killing of the Speaker of the municipality, Jimmy Mohlala, but why should we surrende our streets to the criminals?” he said.
During a radio interview with a local radio station on Wednesday, Ngomane said that the REC had already written to the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of the ANC to decide on the removal of Chiwayo. The PEC is chaired by Mabuza, who won a fiercely contested leadership battle with Chiwayo in 2008. Most of the PEC members are loyalists of Mabuza, and it may pass through without any difficulty, given the animosity between Mabuza and Chiwayo which started before, during and after the leadership contest.
The final decision, however, has to be made by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Sources within the ANC told Ziwaphi that branches of the ANC in Nkangala have resorted to retaliation tactic and are lobbying Ehlanzeni branches to support them in their move to call for the recall of Premier David Mabuza.
ANC Spokesperson, Paul Mbenyane declined to comment of these claims, but said that the organisation regretted the public spat that has been going on since the decision of the Ehlnzeni REC to recommend the recal of Chiwayo.
“We have noted the public exchanges with serious regret, but the ANC will pronounce itself on the matter soon,” he said.
CHIWAYO HITS BACK, HARD