Former KDM mayor Lindile Nhaca expected to be reinstated this week
The African National Congress (ANC) is expected to reinstate Lindi Nhaca as KwaDukuza mayor, less than eight months after her controversial exit.
Sources within the ANC have told the Courier that Nhaca is the front runner for the mayoral election in Thursday's highly anticipated council meeting. Former iLembe District mayor Sduduzo Gumede is said to be the most likely candidate to be appointed as her deputy.
This follows the resignations of mayor Ali Ngidi and his deputy Sicelinjabulo Cele earlier this month. The pair stepped down under mounting political and public pressure, stemming from a series of scandals and persistent service delivery failures. Ironically, Ngidi assumed office following Nhaca's own controversial departure at the end of September last year.
Ngidi and Cele, who were elected just over a month later on November 5, tendered their resignations following a directive from the ANC, although they will remain in their roles until their successors are officially elected. According to ANC provincial task team co-ordinator Michael Mabuyakhulu, the recall decision forms part of the party's broader strategy of 'rebuilding and renewal.'
Ngidi's brief tenure was dogged by controversy.
Public dissatisfaction surged in the wake of multiple scandals, including a car hire debacle that saw more than R1-million spent on vehicles, along with a monthly personal security bill exceeding R173 000. Both Ngidi and Cele have been ordered to repay a portion of the car hire expenses, particularly those incurred before formal council approval was granted.
The administration also struggled with a wave of crises including widespread and prolonged electricity outages, labour unrest involving hundreds of municipal workers and the embezzlement of R35.7-million in January.
Multiple investigations into the municipality's affairs are currently under way, led by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). These probes focus on numerous allegations of mismanagement.
Public frustration continues to grow, with civic organisations and residents demanding accountability and new leadership.
The ANC had not responded at the time of publication.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
3 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Can hate speech be defended as freedom of religion? Court to decide in LGBTQ discrimination case
A Gqeberha shop owner who put up a sign banning LGBTQIA+ patrons and ran an anti-LGBTQ WhatsApp group is at the centre of a landmark hate speech case. While he claims religious freedom, the Human Rights Commission argues that his conduct incites violence and violates the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. The High Court has called for further submissions. The court battle between the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Gqeberha businessman Dawood Lagardien, accused of promoting hate speech by refusing to serve members of the LGBTQIA+ community, continues in the city's high court, where the presiding officer has called for supplementary submissions from both sides. While the latest court appearance took place last week, the matter dates back to mid-2023 when photographs started circulating of a chalkboard outside La Gardi Catering Plastics in Parkside. Shop owner Dawood Lagardien wrote: 'LGBTQ not welcome at La Gardi – Save our children'. Shortly thereafter it came to light that Lagardien was also the administrator of a WhatsApp chat group called Our rights – antiLGBTQ+. The SAHRC took the matter to court, claiming that Lagardien was in violation of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (Pepuda) and actively promoting hate speech and discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation. 'The commission submits that the impugned conduct – the establishment of a WhatsApp group and putting up of the sign outside the shop – constitutes hate speech. In this regard it must be recalled that the respondent has admitted to putting up the sign and establishing the WhatsApp group, so it is common cause that impugned conduct is attributable to him,' the SAHRC's heads of argument read. It further argued that Lagardien's sign offered no reasons for banning people from his shop and simply promoted discrimination. The commission also quoted messages shared on Lagardien's WhatsApp group, claiming clear Pepuda violations, hate speech and incitement to violence. One message read: 'LGBTQ is a blatant attack on Islam. Force is the only option… If only I had a powerful group to crush these sodomists […] and crush these evil vermin from.' As part of its claim, the SAHRC calls on Lagardien to issue a public apology to the LGBTQIA+ community and damages in the amount of R500,000 be paid to an NGO yet to be identified. In his responding documents, Lagardien does not deny putting up the sign or starting the chat group, but argues that he did not violate Pepuda, and rather that he was exercising his right to religious freedom as a devout Muslim. 'As part of his beliefs regarding Islam, he believes that same-sex relationships are un-Islamic and amoral. He also holds the belief that, under his faith, he is obliged to take steps to prevent children from being exposed to what his faith and spiritual beliefs dictate is amoral behaviour,' his responding heads of argument read. In addition to opposing the SAHRC application, Lagardien also brought a counter-application, alleging that the commission's investigation was defective and it failed to discharge its duties under the South African Human Rights Commissions Act. He recounted an incident in June 2023 where two homosexual men allegedly entered his store and engaged in 'sexually inappropriate behaviour' by kissing and touching each other's genitals in front of Muslim customers and their young children. When asked to leave the store, the men allegedly told Lagardien they could do as they pleased during Pride Month. He alleged that the following day his daughter was threatened by two men from the LGBTQ+ community inside the store, and further threats of violence followed when Lagardien requested that they leave the store. This incident prompted him to post the disputed sign outside his store. Days later he found the sign had been destroyed. He stated that the WhatsApp group was created to 'alert members of his community to the threats and intimidation from the LGBTQ community'and to communicate Islamic teachings on homosexuality. While he claimed no messages to incite violence were ever sent on the group, he also stated that none of the screenshots of messages contained in the SAHRC's documents were linked to his phone number or WhatsApp account. The group has since been closed, and Lagardien reiterated that the sign outside his shop had been destroyed in response to claims that he refused to remove it. Lagardien argues the SAHRC's claim against him violates his right to freedom of religion, while the SAHRC states that his conduct goes far beyond the Islamic stance against homosexuality. The matter returned to the Gqeberha High Court last Monday, 28 July 2025. The court determined that SAHRC, represented by Advocate Siphelo Mbeki, and Lagardien, represented by Advocate Feroze Boda, must submit supplementary heads of argument in the next few weeks before a final judgment can be made. DM
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
ANC NEC meeting to discuss US tariffs 'will not resolve Trump's beef with the party'
Political analysts say the ANC National Executive Committee is wasting its time in discussing the US 30% tariff imposed on South Africa's exports. Image: File Picture Political analysts warn that the ANC is unlikely to resolve its differences with the US over the impending 30% tariff on South African exports, as the party held its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Johannesburg at the weekend. The tariff is expected to take effect on August 7, as announced by the Trump administration on Thursday. South Africa is the only country from sub-Saharan Africa singled out in the announcement, reflecting the US's strained relationship with Pretoria. Other African nations, including Lesotho and Zimbabwe, have been hit with a 15% tariff, which will also come into effect in seven days. The decision is a huge blow to South Africa, as the US is its second-biggest trading partner and comes despite trying to agree a trade deal with the US, which included buying US liquefied natural gas, simplifying rules for poultry imports and investing in US industries like mining. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ On Saturday, ANC NEC member Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told journalists that there had been a focused discussion on the US tariffs, describing it as 'spirited and robust'. Ramokgopa said the negotiations between South Africa and the US were ongoing, adding that both countries would be able to find each other. However, political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said although the NEC was expected to talk about the issue, there is not much that the ANC can do. He said Trump was not happy with many things including domestic and foreign policies. 'The ANC needs to figure out how to deal with generally hostile Republican administrations, and the Trump administration, in particular. Trump's beef with the ANC centres around domestic and foreign policies. On the domestic front, Trump is unhappy with the Expropriation bill, BEE and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). "On foreign policy, Trump is bitter about the decision to take Israel to the ICJ (International Court of Justice),'' Ndlovu said, adding that the time has come for the ANC to stop confusing its interests as the country's interests. 'I don't see the ANC coming up with any solution here. It is caught between a rock and a hard place,'' he said. US-South Africa relations have hit rock-bottom since Trump took office in January. The US President stopped all aid to South Africa, accusing it of discriminating against its white minority. South Africa has repeatedly denied this. Ramaphosa held talks with Trump in May in a bid to mend relations but this failed to make any headway. In July, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a bill to review the US-South Africa relations due to objections over its foreign policy and potentially imposing sanctions on senior ANC leaders. The bill accuses the ANC of undermining US interests by maintaining close relationships with Russia and China, which are among its allies and trading partners. It also accuses South Africa of backing Palestinian militant group Hamas in its conflict in Gaza with Israel- an accusation South Africa has denied. Last week, Trump indicated he did not plan to attend the G20 summit taking place later this year in Johannesburg. Another political analyst, Ntsikelelo Breakfast, said the ANC is wasting time discussing the tariff imposed by the US, adding that there is nothing the party can do to avoid the situation. 'There is no way out here. The European Union (EU) signed for 15% this week, and who are we if the EU can give in. I thought we were able to convince Trump and his administration after the meeting in May but clearly Trump did not buy it and now there is legislation to sanction ANC leaders, said Breakfast, adding that this means Trump has taken a hard stance towards South Africa and the ANC. Breakfast said that Trump's threat to skip the G20 summit also cemented his position about South Africa, saying 'this is a smack in the face'. Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said the US's quarrel with South Africa goes beyond the alleged white genocide and that an appreciation of the basis of the quarrel would help in the crafting of an appropriate response. 'No amount of public relations exercise or photo opportunities that Ramaphosa loves so much will resolve South Africa's varied problems,' he said.
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
'Sick and tired of attending meaningless meetings with the ANC' -Solly Mapaila on why the SACP wants to contest elections
SA Communist Party general secretary Solly Mapaila has hinted that the party may contest the 2029 elections. Image: File SACP Secretary-General Solly Mapaila said plans are still on track for the party to contest the 2029 general elections alone, citing its frustration with holding meaningless meetings with its alliance party, the ANC. Speaking at the party's 104th birthday celebration in KwaDlangezwa community hall outside eMpangeni north of KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, Mapaila said the 2022 congress resolution concluded that the party must contest elections. Defending the congress resolution, Mapaila said the decision was taken because the party was tired of holding meaningless meetings with its alliance party, the ANC, since it was not implementing things the alliance had agreed upon in the meetings. Mapaila said that the ANC was arrogant, telling the SACP to take it or leave it. He said that when Jacob Zuma ascended to the ANC and state presidency in 2009, the SACP asked him to give the party at least one department, adding that the party asked for Arts and Culture because it wanted to protect and promote indigenous languages. Mapaila said the departments that had been allocated to the SACP meant nothing because the party ministers still ran those departments under ANC control and the minister could not make much difference. He said people are addressed in English even if they don't understand because the government has failed to promote indigenous languages, adding that indigenous languages have been forgotten in the country. 'The problem here is that we meet and agree on something, however, we don't see the implementation of things we agreed upon as the alliance, so I'm sick and tired of attending meaningless meetings. If you go to the meeting with the people you know will not implement what you agreed upon, there is something wrong with you,' said Mapaila. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He specified the ANC's failure to bring land back to the people as the main reason for the poverty among black people, which necessitated the party's decision to contest state power. "The time for working class representation in the state has come. The reason people are poor is because their land was taken away and no one is bringing their land back into their hands. "We cannot accept that and if you accept that please review your communism. We can't nurse each other's feelings. I'm sick and tired of attending meaningless meetings. We meet and we agree but nothing happens,' said Mapaila. Furthermore, he said the SACP will never leave the tripartite alliance since it assisted in its founding. He also slammed the ANC for blaming him for the decision to contest elections independently, saying he personally did not support the idea, however, he had to align himself as it was a congress decision. 'I did not agree with this decision but I had to accept the congress resolution. District secretaries knew that I did not support it,' said Mapaila. the SACP's strong ally, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said its upcoming congress will decide whether they stick with the ANC or go with the SACP. The SACP leadership also on Sunday laid a wreath at the grave of the late struggle veteran, Riot Mkhwanazi. SA Communist Party general secretary Solly Mapaila has hinted that the party may contest 2029 elections. Image: File
