KZN opposition parties point out priorities for new MEC
KwaZulu-Natal's opposition parties have highlighted several areas they believe the province's new Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC needs to focus on.
Bheki Ntuli was announced as Mxolisi Kaunda's replacement yesterday.
Kaunda was recently elected eThekwini mayor after Zandile Gumede was given the boot by the ANC.
Ntuli promised yesterday that he will not disappoint KwaZulu-Natal.
"I believe in negotiations and I have a background in the trade union movement. Negotiations and engagement is my style," he said.
Opposition parties have jumped to identify the areas they want Ntuli to make a priority.
The IFP's Blessed Gwala says Ntuli must target political violence.
The party's Sharon Hoosen says the blue benches will support Ntuli, as long as he puts the people of KwaZulu-Natal first.
"This province has one of the highest number of recorded cases of gender-based violence in the country. I expect the MEC to take this matter seriously," said Hoosen.
Meanwhile, the EFF says it wants to see Ntuli spending more time on the ground and out of the office, dealing with crime and other day-to-day issues affecting ordinary people.
"We will give him a chance and see how he performs, we will then be able to engage him."
Kaunda was elected eThekwini mayor at a full council meeting last week.
He takes over from Gumede who was axed after the ANC decided to redeploy all its members serving on the municipality's Executive Committee.
Gumede is facing corruption-related charges in connection with a 2016 waste removal tender.
She is due back in court early next year.
Kaunda was recently elected eThekwini mayor after Zandile Gumede was given the boot by the ANC.
Ntuli promised yesterday that he will not disappoint KwaZulu-Natal.
"I believe in negotiations and I have a background in the trade union movement. Negotiations and engagement is my style," he said.
Opposition parties have jumped to identify the areas they want Ntuli to make a priority.
The IFP's Blessed Gwala says Ntuli must target political violence.
"We want him to work closely with the new Saps Provincial Commissioner so that they can eradicate illegal firearms that are used when crimes are committed," said Gwala.
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The DA feels gender-based violence needs to be tackled head-on.The party's Sharon Hoosen says the blue benches will support Ntuli, as long as he puts the people of KwaZulu-Natal first.
"This province has one of the highest number of recorded cases of gender-based violence in the country. I expect the MEC to take this matter seriously," said Hoosen.
Meanwhile, the EFF says it wants to see Ntuli spending more time on the ground and out of the office, dealing with crime and other day-to-day issues affecting ordinary people.
"We will give him a chance and see how he performs, we will then be able to engage him."
Kaunda was elected eThekwini mayor at a full council meeting last week.
He takes over from Gumede who was axed after the ANC decided to redeploy all its members serving on the municipality's Executive Committee.
Gumede is facing corruption-related charges in connection with a 2016 waste removal tender.
She is due back in court early next year.
The ANC said at the time that its decision to change the municipality's leadership was based on performance.
