Opposition parities react to new eThekwini leadership
Opposition parties in Durban say they are prepared to work with eThekwini's newly elected leadership, as long as it is ready to put its best foot forward.
The city council elected Mxolisi Kaunda as the new mayor yesterday. Kaunda has previously been serving as the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison.
Belinda Scott is now deputy mayor and Weziwe Thusi, speaker.
"I think it is important that we get to the bottom of what has happened and not just change the driver of the bus. We need big changes in eThekwini and we need the new elected leaders to put their money where their mouth is. Hopefully this will be the start of new things to come for the city," she said.
The IFP's Mdu Nkosi hopes the new mayor and his team will work with them.
"Depending on whether they will accept our support, as the IFP/ If they don't want to accept our support there is nothing we can do. But I can assure we are servants of the people here in eThekwini."
Mlebukwa Hlengwa of the EFF says they will hold Kaunda accountable.
The party cited performance as its reason to swing the axe.
Former Mayor, Zandile Gumede is currently facing corruption-related charges in relation to a 2016 waste removal tender.
She is due back in court early next year.
Belinda Scott is now deputy mayor and Weziwe Thusi, speaker.
They were selected by the ANC to fill the municipality's top three positions after the previous leadership was shown the door.
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The DA's Nicole Graham says change is needed."I think it is important that we get to the bottom of what has happened and not just change the driver of the bus. We need big changes in eThekwini and we need the new elected leaders to put their money where their mouth is. Hopefully this will be the start of new things to come for the city," she said.
The IFP's Mdu Nkosi hopes the new mayor and his team will work with them.
"Depending on whether they will accept our support, as the IFP/ If they don't want to accept our support there is nothing we can do. But I can assure we are servants of the people here in eThekwini."
Mlebukwa Hlengwa of the EFF says they will hold Kaunda accountable.
"We have been trying to work with the previous administration, but unfortunately some of them simply disregarded us. Hopefully the new mayor will be able to work with us," he said.
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The ANC in the province announced last month that it had redeployed its members serving on eThekwini's Executive Committee.The party cited performance as its reason to swing the axe.
Former Mayor, Zandile Gumede is currently facing corruption-related charges in relation to a 2016 waste removal tender.
She is due back in court early next year.
Gumede is out on R50,000 bail.
