Harry Gwala District mayor Mluleki Ndobe has been appointed as the new KwaZulu-Natal deputy speaker, much to criticism from opposition parties.
The African National Congress (ANC) KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) branch has appointed Harry Gwala District mayor Nluleki Ndobe as the new KZN Legislature deputy speaker. Opposition parties have strongly questioned this new appointment, suggesting Ndobe should have declined the post. Ndobe was recently arrested and charged for the murder of former ANC Youth League (ANCYL) secretary Sindiso Magaqa. However, charges against Ndobe were provisionally withdrawn by the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court in late March 2019.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) all sang the same tune, suggesting that Ndobe should not have taken up the appointment. Still unsure about Ndobe’s innocence, EFF KZN leader Vusi Khoza said Ndobe still had a long way to prove his innocence.
“He should have taken the cue from other ANC colleagues such as Malusi Gigaba and Nomvula Mokonyane who declined nomination because they realised the enormity of the clouds hanging over them,” he said.
IFP KZN leader Velenkosi Hlabisa concurred to Khoza’s concerns, saying he worries about the newly-appointed deputy speaker.
“We have our doubts over Ndobe because he was arrested and initially refused bail and spent over a week in police custody, he is on public recording as saying he would name the people behind his arrest. Today he took an oath to be truthful, so the challenge is now upon him to do so because if he fails there is nothing honourable about him,” Hlabisa said.
The DA’s Zwakele Mncwango echoed the EFF and IFP’s sentiments. However, Ndobe dismissed the comments, saying everything should be left to the ANC as it saw him fit and suitable for the position.
Abenathi Gqomo
