District Mayor ousted
Taking on the challenges of the region, the new uThungulu District Mayor - Stan Larkan (middle) is congratulated by the Mayor of Mabonambi - ME Mthethwa and the Mayor of uMhlathuze City - Zakhele Mnqayi
Tanya Waterworth
DESPITE High Court action still in progress, a new Mayor was elected for the uThungulu District Municipality at a Special Council Meeting held in chambers on Friday.
IFP Councillor Stan Larkan, the current Mayor of uMlalazi was voted in, his nomination not contested by the ANC.
Larkan succeeds Cllr BV Mthethwa, who has lost favour with the IFP hierarchy.
The re-election of the Mayoral position, as well as that of Deputy Mayor, Speaker, Representation on the Executive Committee and Portfolio Committees took place as part of the reconstitution of Council.
This follows the floor crossing period which ended in September.
Ivan Naidoo was re-elected as Deputy Mayor, while Dr Nkonzoyakhe Donda was re-elected as Speaker.
Heated discussion
When the meeting started concern was expressed, particularly by ANC members, that re-elections would take place despite the fact that former Mayor BV Mthethwa and the IFP are locked in High Court action, following the expulsion and subsequent reinstatement of Mthethwa as a party and council member.
The IFP appealed the previous court ruling which found in favour of Mthethwa, and the case is currently sub-judice in the High Court.
Fears were raised that the situation could result in two members holding the mayoral position, while the impact of related legal costs came under heated discussion.
Both the ANC and IFP caucused, following which it was decided to proceed with the reconstitution of Council and re-elections as a separate matter.
Service delivery
The meeting ended with the new mayor being warmly congratulated by City of uMhlathuze Mayor - Zakhele Mnqayi and Mayor of Mbonambi - ME Mthethwa.
It was agreed by all that service delivery to the Zululand community remained the top priority of all political parties, who will work closely to achieve such goals.
'I know there are huge challenges ahead.
'I am blessed in being fluent in isiZulu and together with the councillors and municipal management team, we are committed to promoting good relationships between all our communities, especially between our rural communities and the Amakhosi,' said Larkan.
A profile on the new District Mayor will appear in our next edition.
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