ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile has appealed to party leaders to support their volunteers who are faced with the mammoth task of convincing the despondent electorate to vote for the ANC. Mashatile said ANC volunteers had complained to him about a lack of support and resources.
Security for councillors and senior officials in Buffalo City Metro is again in the spotlight after the council, in a closed meeting on Friday, approved a security detail for key officials.This comes just weeks after infrastructure director Nceba Ncunyana, who had previously acted as municipal manager, was shot dead on the N2 near Ntabozuko (formerly Berlin) on his way to a meeting. Ncunyana had been granted a protection detail by the city after he survived a second attempt on his life in 2022.
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 opposition councillors are unhappy about a “top secret” move by the city to buy an executive “blue light” vehicle for council chief whip Sixolisiwe Ntsasela against the advice of its own legal unit. It is understood that Ntsasela was granted the executive vehicle and provided with security in 2022 after her security was allegedly threatened.
Glaring divisions among ANC comrades in the Buffalo City Metro council emerged this week, with the majority of ANC councillors on Monday “boycotting” a scheduled caucus meeting. The meeting was in preparation of a council meeting meant to have convened on Wednesday. However, it was shelved at the 11th hour on Tuesday amid claims of growing differences within ANC ranks in council.