The raison d’etre of the formation of the African Independent Congress more than 15 years ago has been to fight for the reincorporation of Matatiele, from the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal. But during a visit to the poorly developed, job-scarce rural area in the build-up to the November 1 ele.
Umzimkhulu is a poorly resourced and job-scarce town about 167km southwest of Durban. Before 2006 it fell under the Eastern Cape demarcation. It was fortunate to escape the rampant looting that swept through KZN in July, but the municipality is struggling against reputational damage of corrupti.