ANC in KZN delaying NEC resolution in terms of Zandile Gumede and others

29 April 2021

The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with concern the ANC in Kwazulu-Natal’s delays in implementing the National Executive Council (NEC) “step aside” resolution in the case of Zandile Gumede, Mike Mabuyakhulu and others.

While President Cyril Ramaphosa sits in the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture and admits how his party has failed to deal with rampant internal corruption and maladministration, KZN Premier and KZN ANC Chairperson, Sihle Zikalala, is dragging his feet – in this case to the very last minute – when it comes to implementing the rule.

Zandile Gumede, Mike Mabuyakhulu and many others in the ANC in our province have yet to accept that their actions have cost billions of Rands and contributed to the mass poverty that we see in our cities, towns and villages.

The CoGTA portfolio committee is currently engaged in discussions and deliberations around the 2021/2022 Departmental budget. In a true insult to the people of KZN, the ANC has allowed corruption accused and embattled Gumede to participate in a process that is meant to ultimately ensure the province’s capacity to properly oversee local government – a sphere of government that she wrecked during her tenure as Mayor of eThekwini.

Recently a high-ranking DA leader in the Western Cape took the necessary and correct decision to resign from his position after it was revealed that his qualifications did not match the one mentioned on his CV. This leader decided to step aside which shows a commitment to moral and ethical leadership as well as a commitment to accountable leadership.

While this decision will have repercussions for the DA, what is important to note is that the party and the individual concerned have remained committed to the principles of accountability and ethical leadership. The ANC can learn from this.

The DA calls on Sihle Zikalala to take the right steps for the sake of the people of KZN and the integrity of the legislature as an institution. Whether he is up to the task remains to be seen though, given how his grip on power has diminished over the last year.

We also reiterate our calls for those who are tarnishing the institution of the legislature and government in general to be forced to step aside. The ANC must learn from bold leaders in the DA and from Ramaphosa's own admittance that the ANC has failed to hold people to account.

Issued by Chris Pappas, DA KZN Spokesperson on CoGTA, 29 April 2021