The Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal political sector pulled together with the Newcastle Municipality’s coalition working to ensure Team Sugar South Africa (TSSA) holds a better chance at winning the upcoming by-elections for Ward 31.
The position has been without a Ward Councillor since November 2022, following the passing of former councillor, Nokusa “Mroza” Khumalo.
To read more about Cllr Khumalo’s tragic passing, click here.
During the media briefing on Wednesday, 8 February 2023, the Newcastle Mayor, Cllr Xolani Dube, Newcastle’s Deputy Mayor, Musa Thwala, the Municipal Speaker, Cllr Thengi Zulu, and the Amajuba District Municipality Mayor, Cllr Ndabuko Zulu gathered to elaborate on the recent developments.
As Cllr Zulu, Cllr Dube and Cllr Thengi Zulu represented the IFP, while Cllr Thwala represented his political party TSSA, under the admiring eyes of their supporters and other political parties, the IFP announced it was withdrawing its candidates from the Ward 31 by-elections as an act of solidarity to TSSA.
Cllr Dube explained the IFP received a request from Team Sugar to say the ward was initially won by the political party in 2021, and as TSSA worked closely with the IFP, DA and ActionSA, they asked to continue running the ward.
The other parties immediately stepped back and the IFP has now shown its support alongside its coalition parties, withdrawing all activities to promote itself for the by-elections.
“I must say this categorically, there was no pressure exerted on the IFP from Team Sugar or any threats of this nature. It was based on the nature that we are working together,” concluded Cllr Dube.
Cllr Thwala added that Team Sugar was joining hands with the IFP in three different municipalities, namely the Amajuba District Municipality, Newcastle Municipality and Dannhauser Municipality.
With the two political parties joining hands, Cllr Thwala said, “This is not a short-term relationship. This is a long-term relationship that we are trying to establish.”
Through a united and working relationship between the two parties, Cllr Thwala felt better service delivery could be provided to the community. He also claimed that TSSA would gladly accept any requests from the IFP in the future.
While the IFP has shown its support to TSSA, alongside other political parties within the coalition, TSSA will still have to contest against other parties such as the EFF and ANC.
Despite the outcome of the by-elections results, the IFP and TSSA assured that the Deputy Mayor’s party would not lose its place in EXCO and the municipal leadership would remain the same.
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Comments 3
Whoever comes in must put a cap on council workers overtime. The best way is to start a shift system. 8hrsx3 each day, to regulate the excessive pay. If they refuse, then give the job to one of the many unemployed. I do not see why council workers need to send their children to private schools
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