Sihle Mavuso presents the latest news from KwaZulu-Natal.
Dumbe – The president of the National Freedom Party, Ivan Barnes, has been stopped by a court from suspending the deputy mayor of eThekwini, Zandile Myeni, the mayor of Nongoma, Mshangane Ndabandaba, and 10 other party councillors. After they urgently approached the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday, it ruled that Barnes cannot suspend them, pending the court case in September.
Port Shepstone – The National School Nutrition Programme Service Providers Association in the Ugu district is upset with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education for delaying payments for services. On Tuesday, association members marched to the department’s district offices in Port Shepstone and delivered an urgent list of issues they want resolved.
Macambini – The protest by the community of Macambini in Mandeni over water shortages from the iLembe district municipality has ended. The strike started after the community went without water for three weeks. During the protest, local schools closed due to safety concerns, and transport and health services were disrupted.
Greytown – The mayoral dispute in the troubled Umvoti local municipality in Greytown continues. Mayor Philani “PG” Mavundla from the Abantu Batho Congress claims to have left office, and Gabriel Malembe from the Inkatha Freedom Party has promptly taken over. Mavundla has challenged this in court, arguing that Malembe resigned and cannot return to the position within the current term, which ends in 2026.
Umzinto – The controversial municipal manager of the ANC-run Umdoni (Umzinto) local municipality has been accused of creating a “toxic environment” for employees. Silindile Luthuli, a former senior HR officer in the municipality, detailed the accusations against Thabisile Ndlela in a resignation letter. Luthuli said Ndlela’s treatment of her stressed the importance of maintaining mental health and professionalism under difficult conditions.
Pictured above: Ivan Barnes.
Source: X