Zandile Gumede has thrown the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal into a tailspin by withdrawing her resignation as eThekwini Mayor.
KZN ANC’s spokesperson Ricardo Mthembu confirmed to the media on Thursday that the party has received a letter from Gumede rescinding her forced resignation.
However, speaking to EWN, he insisted that the plan to install KZN Transport MEC Mxolisi Kaunda as eThekwini Mayor will still go ahead.
We can assure the people of KwaZulu-Natal that indeed, next week, the new members will be sworn in.
Ricardo Mthembu
He said KZN ANC would “reflect on the matter” of Gumede’s resignation withdrawal and communicate the outcome in due course.
‘Unheard of’
ANC’s national spokesperson Pule Mabe said Gumede’s decision is “unheard of.”
Speaking to The South African, he said the ANC had the prerogative to deploy, redeploy or recall its leaders.
The real issue is whether an action of withdrawing a resignation is permissible in terms of the rules of the ANC. It’s really unheard of – we haven’t really come across such a situation.
Pule Mabe
Mabe suggested that Gumede’s action may be against the party’s rules.
Gumede recalled
Gumede is facing fraud and corruption charges related to a controversial R208m waste collection tender.
KZN ANC asked her to take special leave soon after she was arraigned in court in May.
The party then decided to recall her from the position of Mayor earlier in August.
The decision was reportedly based on her “poor performance” as Mayor, not on the court charges.
She subsequently submitted her resignation and a council meeting was scheduled for Wednesday to elect a new Mayor.
However, the meeting was postponed once it became clear that Gumede had rescinded her decision to resign.
Reports indicate that she’s now set to appeal KZN ANC’s decision to recall her with ANC’s national leadership.