Just two years after taking office, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has officially removed Councillor Ndabuko Zulu from his position as the Mayor of Amajuba District Municipality.
This decision follows a meeting between the IFP National Executive Committee (NEC) and Councillor Zulu on Wednesday, 18 December 2024.
After careful deliberation, the NEC requested that Zulu step down immediately, a request which he complied with.
It is important to note that Councillor Zulu assumed the role of District Mayor on 8 December 2022, succeeding the former mayor, Councillor Vuselwa Bam, who had only served for one year before being removed from her position. Moreover, the Amajuba District Municipality oversees the Newcastle, Dannhauser and Utrecht Municipalities.
According to Mkhuleko Hlengwa, the IFP National Spokesperson, the decision to remove Councillor Zulu was made in the collective interest of the Amajuba District. While Hlengwa did not provide further details, it is clear that Zulu’s tenure as mayor was marked by several challenges.
Under his leadership, the District Municipality struggled with issues such as the failure to provide water to local municipalities and administrative difficulties, particularly when Zulu attempted to remove the former Municipal Manager, Mpumelelo Manqele.
With Zulu officially vacating his seat, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Thembelihle Mthembu, will now serve as Acting Mayor until further notice. “The Party’s relevant committees will oversee the process of filling the mayoral vacancy,” concluded Hlengwa.
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Comments 2
When are they removing the Newcastle mayor as well?
I don’t think removing Amajuba mayor will be a solution to our water crisis. In Dannhauser we had this problem for years before he was appointed.When will they start employing staff with adequate skill?