The appointment of BCM acting chief financial officer Vincent Pillay has exposed the regional rift in the ruling party, with the metro’s current and former mayors facing off over the issue.Pillay’s role came under scrutiny after a confidential report was tabled behind closed doors at a council meeting on Friday.
The provincial ANC leadership has decided not to fill the position of Buffalo City Metro deputy mayor at least for now. Provincial spokesperson Loyiso Magqashela on Friday indicated that there were no immediate plans to fill the post. The position became vacant when Princess Faku was elected executive mayor last week.
Buffalo City Metro deputy mayor hopeful Kayise Tom was sworn in as a councillor on Tuesday and indicated she was ready to serve should the party pick her. It appears Tom, the ANC’s Dr WB Rubusana deputy regional chair, is a step closer to landing the job because the region has submitted her name as a preferred candidate to the provincial leadership.
The newly elected ANC regional leadership in Dr WB Rubusana wants changes in the running of the Buffalo City municipality’s political leadership. But the ANC’s Luthuli House will have the final decision on the matter. The resolutions for the review of the metro’s political leadership capacity and performance come from Dr WB Rubusana’s fourth regional conference, which took place over the weekend at the East London ICC.